Nomination of RFK Jr. reflects a broader shake-up in the politics of health

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s long-shot nomination for governor of New York represents a seismic shift in the political landscape of public health. Once dominated by staunch vaccine proponents, the field now welcomes a staunch critic, exposing a deep fissure within the medical community.

Amidst growing vaccine hesitancy and a surge in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, Kennedy’s candidacy places the once-unquestioned orthodoxy of vaccination under the microscope, challenging the traditional dominance of “pro-vaccine” candidates.