Dr. Jonathan Reiner, former cardiologist to Vice President Dick Cheney, unleashed a serious criticism of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his lack of response to a recent rodent-borne illness outbreak.
Reiner shared his stern criticism of Kennedy in an X post on Saturday.
"RFK Jr has yet to address the hantavirus outbreak," Reiner wrote. "As leader of the massive US health enterprise he should be out front reassuring the American public about the threat, and our response capabilities. But he’s spent a career casting doubt on the safety and efficacy of vaccines and the risk of a variety of viral illnesses. He’s the wrong leader for HHS."
Kennedy has faced widespread criticism from medical and scientific experts over his long-standing opposition to vaccines, promotion of debunked health theories and appointment of controversial figures to health agencies during the second Trump administration. Critics, including health experts, have expressed concern that his anti-vaccine stance and skepticism of established public health protocols could undermine disease prevention efforts and compromise the integrity of federal health institutions.
RFK Jr has yet to address the hantavirus outbreak. As leader of the massive US health enterprise he should be out front reassuring the American public about the threat, and our response capabilities. But he’s spent a career casting doubt on the safety and efficacy of vaccines and…
— Jonathan Reiner (@JReinerMD) May 9, 2026