A severe bird flu outbreak has impacted American farmers, causing egg prices to skyrocket. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has advised against vaccinating poultry, arguing that it could lead to dangerous new variants of the virus.
In a recent interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Kennedy explained that if a vaccine does not provide complete immunity, it could turn poultry into “mutation factories.” This, he warned, could increase the chances of the virus jumping to humans.
“All of my agencies advise against vaccination of birds,” Kennedy stated. “A leaky vaccine—one that does not provide full immunity—could make things worse instead of better.”
The Risk of Vaccinating Birds
Kennedy noted that the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all recommend against poultry vaccination. According to him, vaccinating birds could increase the risk of the virus evolving and spreading to humans.
“Bird flu exists in wild bird populations, and it will never be completely eradicated,” Kennedy said. “If we vaccinate improperly, it could make the situation more dangerous for humans.”
USDA’s $100 Million Bird Flu Vaccine Research
Despite Kennedy’s concerns, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $100 million investment in vaccine research as part of a $1 billion plan to combat the disease.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins criticized the Biden administration for failing to address the crisis earlier. “American farmers need relief, and consumers need affordable food,” Rollins stated. “We are taking this issue seriously.”
Mass Culling and Its Consequences
Farmers have resorted to culling infected flocks to prevent the spread of bird flu, which has contributed to rising egg prices. The average cost of a dozen eggs reached a record $4.95 last month.
Kennedy criticized the mass killing of chickens, stating that scientists believe there are better ways to handle the outbreak. “Instead of culling, we should be testing therapeutics and isolating affected flocks. The birds that survive are likely to have genetic immunity. These are the birds we should be breeding.”
He also pointed out that bird flu is not transmissible through eggs or food, making the extreme measures unnecessary.
Kennedy’s Concerns About the Measles Outbreak
Kennedy also addressed the recent measles outbreak in Texas, where 223 cases have been reported, leading to 29 hospitalizations and one child’s death. While he acknowledged that unvaccinated populations contribute to outbreaks, he also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the measles vaccine.
“The measles vaccine works for some people for life, but in many, its effectiveness fades over time,” Kennedy said. “When we were kids, getting measles provided lifetime immunity. The vaccine doesn’t always do that.”
He explained that maternal immunity is weaker today, meaning unvaccinated breastfeeding babies do not receive the same level of protection they once did.
Encouraging Vaccination Despite Concerns
Despite his concerns, Kennedy reassured the public that HHS is providing measles vaccines and vitamin A to help control the Texas outbreak. He also encouraged people to get vaccinated.
“What we need to do is give people the best information and encourage them to vaccinate,” he said. “The vaccine does stop the spread of the disease.”
