Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks didn't hold back on questioning Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his claims that Black Americans have a better immune system than white people.
On Thursday (January 30), Alsobrooks, one of the two Black women senators, questioned Kennedy on his controversial views on vaccinations during his second confirmation hearing, per The Hill.
Kennedy previously claimed that “we should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule that’s given to whites because their immune system is better than ours.” The vaccine schedule recommends when children and teens should receive vaccines and immunizations. There are only a few exceptions to the schedule, including for children who have chronic conditions or take medications that weaken their immune systems.
Alsobrooks asked Kennedy to clarify what he meant by his previous remarks.
“A series of studies, I think most of them by Poland, show that to particular antigens that Blacks have a much stronger reaction,” Kennedy said. “There’s differences in reaction to different products by different races –.”
Alsobrooks interjected during Kennedy's response, asking him what type of schedule she should've received for vaccinations. Kennedy then suggested that Black people need "fewer antigens" than white people, to which Alsobrooks responded was "dangerous" rhetoric.
“Mr. Kennedy, with all due respect, that is so dangerous. Your voice would be a voice that parents would listen to,” Alsobrooks said.
“I will be voting against your nomination because your views are dangerous to our state and to our country,” she told Kennedy.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.