RFK Jr., a vaccine skeptic, could lead a Trump administration's efforts to combat “chronic childhood diseases.”

If Donald Trump is reelected, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could play a key health care role in the next administration, according to two people close to the campaign and familiar with the plans.

It is currently believed that the former independent candidate's role would be to lead what one interviewee described as “Operation Warp Speed ​​against chronic childhood diseases,” referring to the title of the Covid vaccine development project during Trump's first term .

Kennedy is known for his criticism and skepticism of the Covid vaccine and other vaccinations.

Kennedy, for example, has repeatedly claimed that vaccinations are linked to autism, even though numerous studies in several countries have refuted this link for decades. Concern about a possible link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has existed for years, after a now-retracted 1998 article claimed a link.

There is significant common ground between the Trump campaign and Kennedy when it comes to preventing diseases such as childhood obesity and diabetes, a person familiar with the plans said, emphasizing that the plans are still in limbo and nothing has been decided yet .

Obesity and diabetes are major problems in the United States. Obesity affects nearly 15 million children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thousands of children and teenagers suffer from type 2 diabetes, a disease linked to obesity, and the number is increasing. During the election campaign, both Trump and Kennedy launched the “Make America Healthy Again” movement.

Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who was an outspoken critic of Kennedy, said that despite the missteps, Operation Warp Speed ​​was “the administration's greatest achievement” during Trump's term.

However, he wasn't sure how Warp Speed ​​would apply to chronic childhood illnesses – or in what ways Kennedy would be helpful.

“I think his science denialism makes him the wrong person for any kind of progress,” Offit said.

In an interview Wednesday, former CDC Director Robert Redfield compared the project to President John. F. Kennedy's promise to walk on the moon.

“He didn't know how it would work, but he believed it was possible and he made it happen,” Redfield told NBC News. “Sometimes things that many people think are impossible can become reality if you see what is possible, be a leader and lead the nation to action.”

In a statement, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt also emphasized that there are “no formal decisions” yet on positions in a potential administration, but that Trump has “stated that he will work with passionate voices like RFK Jr. to restore America by delivering.” “We want to provide families with safe food and end the epidemic of chronic diseases that our children suffer from,” referring to type 2 diabetes.

“President Trump will also create a special presidential commission of independent minds and charge them with investigating what is causing the decades-long rise in chronic diseases,” she added.

At a rally with Kennedy in Nevada on Thursday evening, Trump said Kennedy would “stand up for health and women's health.” He said he told Kennedy to “look at the food in the pantry and what we put on the food.”

“He can do whatever he wants,” Trump added.

Kennedy, for his part, said Trump told him to “end the chronic disease epidemic.”

“And he doesn’t want me to take the vaccine away from people,” Kennedy said. “If you want to get vaccinated, you should be able to do so. We believe in freedom of choice in this country, but you should know the risks and benefits of whatever you take.”

Kennedy recently claimed that Trump promised him “control over public health agencies,” including the Department of Health and Human Services and its subagencies — the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. He would also be appointed to the Department of Agriculture, Kennedy claimed, “which, as you know, is key to the health of America.”

That's not wrong, says one of the people familiar with the planning. If the plan is implemented, Kennedy's mandate would be a “whole-of-government project” and would allow him to mobilize resources from all of these agencies for chronic childhood diseases. How the project will be funded is unclear, although “Operation Warp Speed,” which ran from May 2020 to February 2021, had a budget of up to $18 billion for Covid vaccine development approved by the was funded by the private sector and US taxpayers.

In a statement to NBC News, Kennedy said he was grateful to the former president “for his commitment to ending the chronic disease epidemic that now affects 50% of our children.”

“I stand ready to help him free health authorities from their pervasive conflict and corruption and restore their tradition of evidence-based gold standard science,” he said.

Kennedy could also be interested in leading an agency like HHS or CDC, but that would require Senate approval, which could be an uphill battle after Election Day depending on the party split in the chamber.

Drew Altman, CEO of KFF, a nonpartisan group that addresses health policy issues, said Kennedy's anti-vaccine views and other controversial past positions could pose a problem there.

“I'm sure they would like to avoid a show in the Senate and an ugly confirmation process,” he said.

What remains to be determined, Altman said, is how much — if any — authority the warp speed role would give Kennedy over command agencies like the FDA or the CDC. The role, the source said, is appointed by the president and does not require congressional approval. Altman was skeptical.

“It allows them to give him a position, a position they promised him as a reward for the many votes they received for bringing him into the fold, but without any real power or authority for a big one agency or department,” Altman said.

Kennedy is already getting to know public health leaders from Trump's world. That includes former HHS Secretary Eric Hargan and former CDC Director Robert Redfield — an unlikely alliance, considering Kennedy attacked Redfield multiple times in his book.

Redfield, a former HIV researcher, led the CDC in the early days of the pandemic and was often criticized for missteps, including controversial Covid testing guidelines.

Trump transition co-chair Howard Lutnick also praised Kennedy in an interview with CNN on Wednesday night and questioned whether vaccines are actually safe.

Kennedy is also making the rounds with state agriculture leaders like Sidney Miller of Texas, as food will be the focus of this potential effort. According to a source, prominent Kennedy ally Russell Brand was also involved in some meetings and discussions. Brand, the comic actor and wellness influencer, has been accused of sexual assault by four women, which he has denied. Addiction and its impact on children and families are also likely to be a top priority, a favorite topic for Brand, who is himself in recovery.