Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claim that the flu vaccine may have caused his spasmodic dysphonia lacks scientific backing. Despite suggesting a potential link, no evidence supports the assertion that influenza vaccines are associated with the neurological condition affecting his vocal cords.
The Claim and Expert Response
Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic, stated that he stopped receiving annual flu shots in 2005 and believes the vaccine could be a “potential culprit” behind his voice impairment. However, medical professionals strongly refute this connection. Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, emphasizes, “We do not have any known linkage between flu vaccine and voice disorders like this.”
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation likewise confirms there is “no evidence” to support vaccines causing spasmodic dysphonia. Some preliminary studies even suggest certain vaccinations may be protective against some forms of dystonia, further undermining the claim.
The Science Behind Spasmodic Dysphonia
The exact causes of spasmodic dysphonia remain unclear, though experts suspect involvement from various brain regions and a possible genetic component. This complexity means attributing the condition to a single factor, like a flu vaccine, is speculative at best.
Flu Vaccine Side Effects and Safety
One flu vaccine brand, FluLaval, lists dysphonia as a potential side effect—though this only indicates the disorder was observed in clinical trials, not that the vaccine causes it. Flu vaccines, like all medications, can have side effects. Still, decades of use demonstrate their overall safety for millions.
The Severity of Flu Season
Kennedy’s statements emerge during a particularly severe flu season in the U.S. As of the 2025–2026 season, the CDC estimates at least 18 million illnesses and 9,300 deaths, including 32 children. Notably, 90 percent of vaccine-eligible children who died from the flu this season were unvaccinated. This underscores the vaccines’ importance in reducing severe illness and complications.
Flu vaccines remain the most effective tool against influenza, and the body of scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports their safety.
While side effects are possible with any medication, the benefits of flu vaccination far outweigh the risks, particularly given the severity of recent outbreaks and the preventable deaths among unvaccinated populations.
