RFK Jr.'s HHS nomination faces criticism from Nobel laureates due to his lack of credentials and controversial vaccine stance.

Seventy-seven Nobel laureates have expressed opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as head of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Nobel Laureates wrote a letter to the United States Senate, urging them to reject RFK Jr.'s nomination due to his "lack of credentials" in health science or administration, opposition to vaccines, and promotion of "conspiracy theories" about mainstream medical treatments.

The letter warns that putting Mr. Kennedy in charge of DHHS would endanger public health and weaken America's global standing in the field of health sciences.

Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, is an environmental lawyer and activist who founded the Children's Health Defense, a nonprofit group accused of spreading misinformation on vaccines. President-elect Trump declared his intention to nominate Kennedy to lead HHS in November after Kennedy, who ran for president as an independent, endorsed Trump for president.

The letter suggests that Kennedy's opposition to widely-accepted public health interventions, including vaccination and fluoridation of drinking water, could lead to public harm if he were confirmed. Additionally, the Nobel Laureates allude to his rejection of scientific evidence that shows H.I.V. causes AIDS.

The Health Secretary, Kennedy, was labeled as a "belligerent critic" by the Nobel Laureates of the agencies he would oversee, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.

According to NBC News, Kennedy has accused the FDA of "corruption" and called for "entire departments" at the agency to be cleared out. He has also labeled the CDC's vaccine division a "fascist enterprise" and accused health agencies of being captured by the pharmaceutical industry.

The Nobel Laureates urge the next health secretary to prioritize the development and enhancement of these esteemed institutions and their staff, rather than posing a threat to them.

The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee a large health policy bureaucracy with 13 agencies, a $2 trillion budget, and responsibility for administering Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and other critical federal health programs.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for public health policy, medical research grants, child welfare programs, bioterrorism defense strategies, refugee resettlement, and many other activities.

After being nominated, Kennedy stated that President Trump had tasked him with three objectives: eliminating corruption in government health agencies, restoring their reputation for gold-standard, evidence-based science, and revitalizing the country's health by eradicating chronic diseases.

Becerra, a former congressman and lawyer, faced opposition from conservative groups during his 2020 nomination to lead the HHS department due to his lack of health experience.

Becerra was confirmed by the Senate 50-49, with the backing of all Democrats and one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins.