Cassidy presses RFK Jr. on whooping cough

Why it matters: The move is the latest twist in a closely watched relationship.

• Since the Republican physician provided a key vote in February to advance Kennedy’s nomination, he’s tried to drive a wedge between Kennedy and President Trump by citing Trump’s involvement in Operation Warp Speed and past support of vaccines.

What they’re saying: “We can ensure that no child dies from a vaccine-preventable disease,” Cassidy wrote in a letter on Friday to Kennedy.

• “I ask that you publicly reaffirm your support for the DTaP vaccine,” he added, referring to the vaccine that protects against whooping cough, also called pertussis, as well as diphtheria and tetanus.

The big picture: Cassidy wrote that his state is experiencing “the worst pertussis outbreak in 35 years,” and that two infants have already died.

• He also pointed to Trump’s recent statement that vaccines “just pure and simple work.”

What’s next: Cassidy will chair a health committee hearing this week at which former CDC director Susan Monarez will make her first public appearance since the Trump administration fired her after a reported dustup with Kennedy.

Why it matters: Several large studies have already disproven the connection. But Kennedy has continued to promote a possible link.

Zoom in: The CDC late last week posted a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract to the Troy, New York-based private university and asked for a response by Sept. 26.

• The notice did not specify a time frame for the project, or the amount of the contract.
• The CDC isn’t asking for competitive bids, but said any responses received from other institutions within 15 days of the notice will be considered.

What they’re saying: Rensselaer Polytechnic appreciates the CDC’s plan to award it the grant, a spokesperson told Axios in a statement.

• Juergen Hahn, a biomedical engineer and data science expert on the faculty, has made a career studying autism risk factors and biomarkers.
• Hahn is on the scientific advisory board of the Autism Research Institute. Its website states it “recognizes the importance of addressing concerns about a potential link between vaccines and autism,” but notes that there has been no validated or replicated study confirming a causal link.

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