See: “Polio” and “Measles” Memes Flood Social Media After RFK Jr. Named HHS Secretary
4 min read
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President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has set social media abuzz with memes about “polio,” “measles,” and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Known for his controversial views on vaccinations, RFK Jr. has long questioned the safety of vaccines, sparking a strong reaction from both supporters and critics.
The Department of Health and Human Services plays a crucial role in public health, overseeing major health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Trump praised Kennedy’s selection, stating, “The safety and health of all Americans is the most important role of any administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming health crisis in this country.” Trump’s statement hints at an administration approach that includes re-examining pharmaceutical and agricultural industries, aligning with Kennedy’s skepticism toward corporate influence on public health.
polio hearing the news that RFK Jr. is the Secretary of HHS https://t.co/ecdmTNyAf2 pic.twitter.com/TuKPhAfUVG
— Electron! (@ElectronTheNerd) November 14, 2024
Kennedy’s history on vaccine safety issues has generated widespread debate. A vocal critic of several vaccines, including COVID-19 and many childhood immunizations, Kennedy has raised concerns about vaccine safety and transparency. In 2023, he went so far as to claim that “no vaccine is safe and effective,” which drew criticism from public health experts. Additionally, he has publicly promoted debunked theories linking vaccines to autism, urging parents to “resist” CDC guidelines.
These views have made Kennedy a polarizing figure in the health policy arena. While he maintains that he is not “anti-vaccine,” he does advocate for freedom of choice regarding vaccinations and has repeatedly questioned the scientific rigor behind vaccine safety studies. In an interview with MSNBC, Kennedy insisted, “I’m not going to take away anybody’s vaccines. I’ve never been anti-vaccine.” Instead, he stated his commitment to providing Americans with information so that they can make “individual assessments.”
The announcement quickly triggered a flood of responses on social media, with users posting memes featuring diseases like polio, measles, and smallpox—diseases largely eradicated in the U.S. thanks to widespread vaccination. Many users expressed concern that Kennedy’s leadership could threaten these public health achievements, using humor and satire to voice their unease. Twitter posts and comments across platforms portrayed images of iron lungs (historically used for polio patients) and measles outbreaks, humorously suggesting they might make a “comeback.”
Polio: https://t.co/Sp5qoev40v pic.twitter.com/ckTm8l3YBz
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) November 14, 2024
For his supporters, Kennedy represents a shift toward greater oversight on what they perceive as unchecked corporate influence in health and medicine. They applaud his skepticism toward pharmaceutical companies, seeing him as a champion for “medical freedom” and “transparency.” His critics, however, argue that Kennedy’s stance could hinder the progress made in public health and possibly fuel vaccine hesitancy. Experts worry this approach could weaken public trust in vaccines and other preventative health measures, potentially increasing outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Public health authorities have consistently emphasized that vaccines have been one of the most effective tools in combating infectious diseases. For decades, high vaccination rates have kept diseases like measles and polio under control in the U.S. But a trend toward vaccine hesitancy in recent years has already led to pockets of outbreaks, particularly in communities with low immunization rates. Kennedy’s nomination has many experts concerned that this trend could accelerate, jeopardizing public health gains and posing a risk to vulnerable populations.
Measles, mumps, polio and everything else seeing RFK Jr. taking over HHS like… pic.twitter.com/UoKwWrRvUx
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) November 14, 2024
As Kennedy prepares to step into this role, the challenges of balancing public health priorities with freedom of choice loom large. While he insists he has no intention of mandating or banning vaccines, his track record suggests a focus on re-evaluating current health policies, which could spark contentious debates on vaccination, health freedoms, and medical transparency.
Ultimately, the memes circulating online underscore the anxiety felt by many Americans over Kennedy’s new role. His leadership at HHS will likely continue to draw scrutiny, especially from those who fear that his views on vaccines could undermine confidence in essential public health programs.
Measles: pic.twitter.com/R8J0FA6cbG
— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) November 14, 2024
Polio…. pic.twitter.com/VFWGt96Be7
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) November 14, 2024
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
