Amna Nawaz
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WATCH: Sen. Bennet asks RFK if he still believes flu vaccine ‘is destroying children’s brains’
Posted
April 22, 2026
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April 22, 2026
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3:03Now PlayingSen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., questioned Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about his stance on flu vaccines on Wednesday in a hearing on President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget request.
Asked about his stance on vaccination for flu, Kennedy said he approves of “lots of vaccines,” spending “a billion dollars developing new vaccines, including a universal flu vaccine.”
“I assume that you no longer believe that the flu vaccine is destroying children’s brains, that there’s zero evidence that the flu vaccine prevents any hospitalization or any deaths, because today you’re here agreeing that the vast majority of kids that died from the flu were people without vaccines,” Bennet said.
“We’re making sure that we follow the science, Senator,” Kennedy replied.
Kennedy appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance.
Kennedy was expected to face questioning about his controversial changes to vaccine policy, as well as new dietary guidelines and proposed Medicaid cuts. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician, committee member and influential chair of the Senate Health Committee, will have opportunities in two hearings Wednesday to press Kennedy, whose approach to vaccines he’s criticized in the past.
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