Republican Senator Thanks RFK Jr. for Anti-Vax Support, Says His Newborn Granddaughter Won't Be Vaccinated: 'She's Not Going to Be a Pin Cushion'

During Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s senate confirmation hearing, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) thanked Kennedy for voicing opposition to vaccines, stating his newborn granddaughter would not be receiving routine childhood immunizations.

"I've had my first granddaughter here in a couple of weeks," Tuberville said. "My son and his wife have done their research about vaccines, and she's not going to be a pin cushion—we're not going to allow that to happen."

"Let's empower scientists to do their jobs. Let's don't just do something for the pharmaceutical companies," Tuberville continued in praise of talking points Kennedy had previously discussed with the Senator. "I appreciate you doing that," he added.

Kennedy, who has long promoted debunked claims about vaccine safety—despite overwhelming scientific consensus on their safety and efficacy—is nominated by President Donald Trump for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Throughout his confirmation hearing, which entered its second day on Thursday, Kennedy has attempted to distance himself from previous criticisms of immunizations, claiming he supports vaccines and that all of his children have been vaccinated.

Senator Tuberville's expression of gratitude and implication that Kennedy swayed his opinion on a medical decision for his own family adds to existing speculation surrounding Kennedy's testimony framing himself as pro-vaccine. He has been accused of contradicting himself, leaving vaccine advocates dubious of his commitment to public health.

Public health experts have repeatedly warned that vaccine misinformation poses a serious risk to children and communities by increasing the likelihood of preventable disease outbreaks.