Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made misleading statements before Congress regarding chickenpox vaccination in Europe. During a House Appropriations Committee hearing on May 14, Kennedy claimed that Europe does not vaccinate children against chickenpox because studies allegedly show that vaccinating children leads to increased shingles cases in older adults. While this concern is theoretical, it does not reflect the full reality, as several European countries do vaccinate children, and research has not confirmed the claim.
Kennedy, known for his long-standing anti-vaccine stance, was also evasive when questioned by Representative Mark Pocan about whether he would vaccinate his own children against measles. Kennedy replied ambiguously, saying his opinions on vaccines were irrelevant and that people should not take medical advice from him.
When specifically asked about the chickenpox vaccine, Kennedy again avoided giving direct advice. He asserted that Europe avoids the chickenpox vaccine because “the preclinical trial shows that when you inoculate the population for chickenpox, you get shingles in older people, which is more dangerous.” However, this statement only tells part of the story. Countries such as Austria, Germany, Italy, and Spain do routinely vaccinate children against chickenpox, while others refrain partly due to concerns about shingles. Yet, no strong evidence supports the claim that childhood vaccination causes an increase in shingles among older adults.
Attempts to clarify Kennedy’s reference to “the preclinical trial” and whether he was referring to all of Europe or specific countries were met with no response from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Shingles, a reactivation of the virus later in life, is generally more severe than chickenpox. Some studies suggest that adults who are frequently exposed to children with chickenpox receive immune boosts that reduce their shingles risk. This led to theoretical concerns that vaccinating children could reduce adult exposure and temporarily increase shingles in older adults. Mathematical models predicted that shingles rates might rise for several decades after starting childhood vaccination programs but would eventually decline because the risk is higher in those naturally infected with chickenpox.
However, there is little real-world evidence showing an increase in shingles cases linked to childhood vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shingles cases in the U.S. had been rising even before the chickenpox vaccine was introduced in 1995 and have recently stabilized or declined. Meanwhile, chickenpox cases have dropped by more than 97%, with the vaccine credited for saving nearly 2,000 lives and over $23 billion in healthcare costs by 2020. The chickenpox vaccine also significantly lowers shingles risk in children, and adults at risk of shingles have access to an effective shingles vaccine recommended for those aged 50 and older.
Reflecting on the U.S. and other countries’ experiences, including Australia and Canada, a vaccine advisory committee in the U.K. reversed its 2009 stance. In November 2023, the committee recommended the chickenpox vaccine for all children, citing new long-term U.S. studies disproving earlier fears that childhood vaccination would cause a prolonged rise in shingles among middle-aged adults. This, along with recent research from the University of Bristol and insights from the National Health Service, paved the way for a nationwide vaccination program. The U.K. plans to begin this program in January 2026.
Related Topics
