Lawyer Linked to RFK Jr. Slams 'False Claims' About Polio Vaccine Ban, Calls for Greater Transparency and Safety

An attorney with ties to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired back at allegations that the controversial political figure wants to ban the polio vaccine.

Attorney Aaron Siri took to Fox News on Tuesday to address reports from The New York Times and other media outlets, which claimed Kennedy was advocating for the removal of the polio vaccine’s approval in the United States.

Siri, who has previously advised Kennedy, strongly refuted the accusations, calling them "totally false." He clarified that the petition in question was not about eliminating public access to the polio vaccine but was instead aimed at addressing safety concerns related to a specific version of the vaccine.

“It’s totally false to say that the petition sought to revoke the polio vaccine, as if the petition intended to make it so that Americans couldn’t get the polio vaccine,” Siri stated. “It was for only one of six licensed polio vaccines.”

According to Siri, the petition was filed on behalf of a different client, not Kennedy, and was targeted at a polio vaccine licensed in 1990. He emphasized that the goal was not to ban the vaccine but to push for more rigorous safety reviews.

The clarification comes after Kennedy, a known skeptic of certain vaccines, has faced backlash for his past remarks questioning the safety of childhood vaccines.

His views have drawn criticism from health experts and politicians, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell, a polio survivor, denounced the idea of revoking the polio vaccine, calling it “specious disinformation” that poses a threat to “lifesaving medical progress.”

“Efforts to undermine public confidence in cures and treatments are reckless and dangerous,” McConnell said, warning that such rhetoric could erode decades of progress in disease prevention. His remarks were seen as a direct response to Kennedy and his stance on vaccine safety.

Despite the pushback, Siri continued to defend Kennedy's position, insisting that Kennedy’s aim is not to eliminate vaccines but to ensure they are thoroughly tested before being approved for use.

“He doesn’t want to get rid of any vaccines,” Siri stated firmly. “Mr. Kennedy has made very clear, he just wants to make sure that there’s transparency and that there’s proper science.”

Siri also highlighted that the petition sought stricter protocols for vaccine safety, especially those administered to children.

He argued that before a vaccine is licensed and distributed to millions of babies, it should undergo more rigorous testing. “That’s all we’re talking about in terms of safety,” Siri said. “He just wants safety. He wants transparency and he doesn’t want to deprive people of vaccinations.”

This controversy comes as Kennedy’s views on vaccines continue to be a major flashpoint in public health discourse. His comments and advocacy have made him a polarizing figure, with some applauding his calls for accountability and others criticizing him for spreading fear and misinformation.

As Kennedy prepares for a possible role in the Department of Health and Human Services under a Trump administration, scrutiny of his vaccine-related views is expected to intensify.

While his critics argue that his rhetoric could endanger public trust in vaccines, his supporters maintain that his push for greater transparency and accountability in vaccine development is both necessary and overdue.