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.

A therapeutic vaccine targeting human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) induced regression in high-grade precancerous cervical lesions, according to the results from a phase II clinical trial.

Nationally, the average uptake for boys is 78.6% and 83.2% for girls. The HPV vaccine was introduced for girls in 2008 to prevent cervical cancer and then extended to boys in 2019. Anyone who missed their vaccine can request it through the NHS up to the age of 25.

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.

A new report from the American Cancer Society shows that there has been an increase in new cervical cancer cases for women ages 30 to 44. But it turns out Alabama is

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

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spent two days this week insisting to senators that he’s not anti-vaccine. He said that he instead supports vaccinations and will follow the science in overseeing the $1.7 trillion Department of Health and Human Services,

RFK Jr. says he'll stop collecting fees from an HPV vaccine lawsuit. Lawmakers raised concerns about his financial arrangement with the law firm representing patients.