Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces NIH scientists will no longer publish in “corrupt” journals like The Lancet and JAMA, creating government-run alternatives that could eventually outshine Big Pharma-influenced publications.
Key Takeaways
- HHS Secretary Kennedy plans to ban federal scientists from publishing in major medical journals he deems “corrupt” and influenced by pharmaceutical companies.
- The NIH will create government-run journals for taxpayer-funded research as part of Trump’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.
- Kennedy has removed COVID-19 vaccines from CDC recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women.
- The move aligns with Trump administration priorities but raises concerns about potential isolation of American medical research.
- Since Trump’s inauguration, Kennedy’s agency has dismissed 20,000 federal workers as part of broader reforms.
Kennedy Targets “Corrupt” Medical Journals
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced plans to prohibit government scientists from publishing research in major medical journals, including The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, and JAMA. Kennedy declared these publications “corrupt” and controlled by pharmaceutical industry interests. The move represents a significant shift in how federally funded medical research will be disseminated and marks a major component of President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again initiative aimed at restoring public trust in medical institutions.
“We’re probably going to stop publishing in the Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and those other journals, because they’re all corrupt,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Government-Run Alternatives Proposed
Instead of using established journals, Kennedy proposes creating in-house National Institutes of Health publications for government research. He suggests these NIH journals could eventually surpass traditional publications in credibility and impact. The initiative would fundamentally alter how federally funded medical research is shared with the scientific community and the public. Kennedy argues that publication in established journals currently serves primarily to legitimize scientists rather than advance medical knowledge.
“It is anointing you as a good, legitimate scientist,” Kennedy stated regarding the current publication system.
Critics have expressed concern about the potential isolation of American medical research from the global scientific community. Harvard Medical School assistant professor Adam Gaffney warned, “Banning NIH-funded researchers from publishing in leading medical journals and requiring them to publish only in journals that carry the RFK Jr. seal of approval would delegitimize taxpayer-funded research.”
COVID Vaccine Recommendations Changed
Kennedy also announced immediate changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, bypassing traditional CDC processes. Standing alongside NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, Kennedy declared that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. This policy shift represents a significant departure from previous public health guidance and aligns with concerns Kennedy has long voiced about vaccine safety and efficacy.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced at a press conference.
NIH Director Bhattacharya supported the decision, stating, “That ends today. It’s common sense. That’s good science.”
Broader MAHA Agenda Implementation
These changes form part of the broader Make America Healthy Again agenda championed by Kennedy and President Trump. The MAHA Commission Report focuses on addressing chronic diseases in American children and examines potential health risks associated with ultra-processed foods and certain vaccines. Since Trump took office, Kennedy’s agency has dismissed approximately 20,000 federal workers across various departments, reflecting the administration’s commitment to restructuring government health agencies and reducing bureaucracy.
The reforms represent Kennedy’s longstanding commitment to challenging what he views as corporate influence in healthcare policy. His appointment as HHS Secretary has enabled the implementation of policies that were previously considered outside mainstream medical consensus. As these changes unfold, they will likely reshape the relationship between government health agencies, the medical establishment, and pharmaceutical companies for years to come.
