WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing intense scrutiny from senators over his potential profit from vaccine lawsuits while serving as the nation's health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that if he is confirmed he will not collect fees from litigation against the drugmakers of a cervical cancer vaccine.

Kennedy’s commitment to walk away from the potential windfall is a major reversal for the nominee, who in his ethics plan submitted to federal officials earlier this month told lawmakers he was entitled to those proceeds so long as the U.S. government wasn’t involved.

Medically reviewed by Khadeja Haye, MD The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for people ages 9 to 26. Most people get their first dose of the vaccine at age 11 or 12. When to get the HPV vaccine depends on your personal circumstances,

HPV vaccines aim to prevent the development of HPV-related cancers by stopping the viral infection from taking hold in the first place. Like other vaccines, they do this by making the immune system think it’s been exposed to the actual virus, triggering it to produce antibodies against HPV.

RFK Jr. played a lead role in building a case against Merck's HPV vaccine and could profit from the lawsuit alleging fraud, even if confirmed as health secretary.

KASIE HUNT: Over the summer you said, “There’s no vaccine that’s safe and effective”. Do you still believe that? RFK JR: “I never said that.” KASIE HUNT: “Play the clip.” RFK JR (clip): “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.” (March 2024) pic.twitter.com/QrjubgMHA7

India plans to roll out the HPV vaccine in the national immunization programme for school girls to protect them from cervical cancer “in a few months

Thailand's National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RTCOG) have reaffirmed the safety of vaccines in response to social media discussions surrounding lawsuits against HPV vaccine manufacturers abroad.

Facing intense scrutiny from senators over his potential profit from vaccine lawsuits while serving as the nation's health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that if he is confirmed he will not collect fees from litigation against the drugmakers of a cervical cancer vaccine.

President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services nominee said he will divest his interest in lawsuits against an HPV vaccine manufacturer.

Kennedy vowed to divest his financial interest in vaccine litigation to his son. Democrats and ethics experts said the arrangement raised further questions.