New York state’s health commissioner on Friday didn't directly say what he thinks of President-elect Donald Trump’s expected nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
But during a stop in Rochester on an unrelated event, Dr. James McDonald did talk about the importance of vaccines, a topic that Kennedy has been quite skeptical about.
McDonald noted that vaccines are regulated by the states, and in response to reporters’ questions, he said that part of his job as commissioner is to help educate New Yorkers about COVID or any other communicable disease.
He referred to the messaging that came out during the pandemic.
“Adults got tired of being told to do better,” McDonald said. “What adults want to know is understand the ‘why,’ and that’s what I’ll do. I’ll explain the ‘why’ and help you decide what to do. Why should you get a measles, mumps or rubella vaccine? Because if your kid gets measles, they might end up in the hospital, and that’s a very sad thing.”
McDonald is a pediatrician, and he talked about treating the children of Amish and Mennonite parents when he practiced in central Pennsylvania. He said he treated kids for diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines.
McDonald also defended the use of fluoride in drinking water, which he said is tightly regulated by the state and local communities. The commissioner said fluoride can help prevent cavities, while Kennedy has said he would recommend removing fluoride from drinking water if named to the Cabinet post.
On Saturday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she signed legislation to allow greater access to fluoride treatments for pediatric dental patients. The legislation allows registered dental assistants and licensed practical nurses to apply topical fluoride to teeth, which Hochul said will greatly expand the number of licensed professionals in the state who are authorized to provide this treatment.
Hochul, in a statement, said that "As a mom, I know how difficult it can be to get an appointment at the dentist's office and how critical it is for our kids to maintain good oral hygiene."
During his stop in Rochester last week, Commissioner McDonald having fluoride available in the water supply means kids are "less likely to get cavities," and noted that cavities and having to have them filled can hurt. He also talked about the shortage of dentists and dental hygienists in the state.
