Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for the US Department of Health and Human Services, has informed the Senate Finance Committee that he will divest his interest in litigation related to the HPV vaccine Gardasil. This decision comes as an update to his previous ethics agreement, which had raised concerns about potential financial benefits from the outcome of the litigation.
In response to senators’ questions during the confirmation hearings, Kennedy stated, 'An amendment to my Ethics Agreement is in process, and it provides that I will divest my interest in this litigation.' The issue of vaccines and Kennedy's financial ties to questioning their safety were prominent topics during the hearings.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, expressed her concerns about Kennedy's involvement in litigation against the HPV vaccine. She described it as a 'dangerous' conflict of interest that could allow him to profit from an anti-vax lawsuit while serving as the HHS secretary.
In recent ethics disclosures, Kennedy had indicated his intention to continue receiving fees from past client referrals to the law firm Wisner Baum, which is currently suing pharmaceutical company Merck over Gardasil. The vaccine is designed to prevent diseases caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Kennedy had previously stated that he would resign from his consulting agreement with the law firm if confirmed by the Senate. However, he had also mentioned his entitlement to receive 10% of fees awarded in contingency cases referred to the firm.
