Washington, D.C. – October 10, 2025 – A stark new poll has exposed deepening divisions over Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s aggressive push to dismantle long-standing vaccine policies, with 59% of Americans expressing disapproval of his tenure just six months into the role. The findings, released Thursday by the Pew Research Center, come amid escalating protests outside HHS headquarters and a flurry of lawsuits challenging the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.

Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic appointed by President Donald Trump in a nod to anti-establishment voters, has overseen the suspension of federal funding for school vaccine requirements and the launch of a controversial review board to scrutinize pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and Moderna. “Big Pharma has been poisoning our kids for decades – we’re ending that nightmare now,” Kennedy proclaimed during a rally in Atlanta earlier this week, drawing cheers from thousands of supporters waving “Vaccine Freedom” signs.

The Pew survey, conducted among 1,500 adults from October 3-8, highlights a partisan chasm: While 78% of Republicans approve of Kennedy’s direction, only 12% of Democrats do, with independents splitting nearly even at 49% disapproval. Public health experts warn of dire consequences, citing a projected 15% uptick in measles cases by year’s end due to dipping vaccination rates in states like California and New York, where local mandates are under legal siege.

Tensions boiled over Wednesday when anti-vaccine activists clashed with counter-protesters near the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, resulting in 12 arrests and minor injuries. Social media has amplified the divide, with #RFKRevolution trending alongside #ProtectOurKids, as parents share stories of school exclusions and delayed pediatric care.

On Capitol Hill, Democrats are mobilizing for oversight hearings next week, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren labeling Kennedy’s policies “a reckless experiment endangering millions.” Even some GOP moderates, like Sen. Susan Collins, have voiced concerns, urging a “balanced approach” to avoid alienating swing voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The controversy intersects with broader administration priorities, including Trump’s ongoing government shutdown standoff, which threatens to furlough thousands of CDC staffers and delay flu shot distributions. Economists estimate potential billions in lost productivity from outbreaks, compounding inflation woes from recent trade tariffs.

Kennedy remains defiant, teasing upcoming announcements on “natural immunity incentives” during a Fox News appearance set for Friday. For families navigating the uncertainty – from homeschooling mandates to workplace exemptions – the poll underscores a nation at odds over science, trust, and the very definition of public health.