Rand Paul Clashes With Bernie Sanders, Ousted CDC Director Over Infant Vaccination Push
Senator Rand Paul didn’t hold back during a heated exchange Wednesday as he confronted former CDC Director Susan Monarez and Senator Bernie Sanders over what he called a “blind allegiance” to infant vaccine mandates — especially when scientific justification is lacking.
The clash took place during a Senate hearing reviewing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent decision to remove Monarez from her post. Monarez alleges she was pushed out for refusing to fire agency staff involved in issuing controversial vaccine recommendations for young children — a claim the administration has not confirmed.
Paul, a longtime critic of federal health mandates, challenged Monarez directly on the scientific merit behind giving certain vaccines to infants, particularly the COVID-19 and Hepatitis B vaccines.
“When we’re discussing the science here, we have to ask: What is the actual benefit of giving a six-month-old baby a COVID shot?” Paul asked. “There is no benefit in terms of hospitalization or death — none — and yet you’re recommending it anyway.”
He continued, “You won’t fire the people who are saying we have to vaccinate our kids at 6 months of age. That’s who you refused to fire.”
Monarez pushed back, claiming Paul’s characterization didn’t match her experience, but Paul wasn’t buying it — nor was he finished.
He pressed again, shifting to another controversial shot: “What is the medical reason to give a Hepatitis B vaccine to a newborn whose mother is Hep-B negative?”
Monarez offered no direct reply, prompting Sanders to repeatedly attempt to cut in and shield her from Paul’s questioning. That only fired up Paul further.
“You had your time, Bernie. I’ve got mine,” Paul snapped, before once again demanding evidence: “What is the medical, scientific reason and proof for giving a newborn a Hepatitis B vaccine if the mom is Hep-B negative?”
Monarez continued to evade the question, and Paul made it clear that the burden of proof wasn’t on parents — it was on the public health bureaucracy.
“You want to make all kids take this? The burden is upon you,” Paul concluded. (RELATED: Fauci Ordered Staff To Cover Up Email Defending COVID Lockdowns: ‘Delete This After You Read It’)
The exchange underscores the growing tension between the Biden administration’s vaccine advisory policies — many of which remain unchanged under RFK Jr. despite his own personal vaccine skepticism — and a rising wave of medical freedom advocates demanding greater transparency and individualized risk assessments, especially when it comes to children.
Paul’s challenge follows growing concerns from parents across the country who are questioning the CDC’s ever-expanding vaccine schedule, including recommendations that do not take into account natural immunity, medical history, or parental rights. The Kentucky senator has repeatedly called for a reassessment of what he calls “one-size-fits-all” guidance that ignores common sense and clinical nuance.
Sanders, meanwhile, continued to defend the agency’s past leadership and urged senators to avoid “politicizing” vaccine policy — but it was clear from the hearing that the political battle over government-backed vaccine mandates for children is far from over.