Robert F. Kennedy Jr. served as the keynote speaker at a sold-out conference hosted by Children's Health Defense, an organization he leads that frequently challenges established vaccine safety guidelines. The event brought together various figures within the anti-vaccine movement, most notably Andrew Wakefield.

Wakefield, a former British physician, gained international notoriety in 1998 after publishing a study in The Lancet that suggested a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. That study was later retracted by the journal, and Wakefield was subsequently stripped of his medical license by the UK's General Medical Council, which found his research to be dishonest and unethical. Despite the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective, Kennedy and his organization continue to promote skepticism regarding public health mandates and vaccine safety data.

The conference highlights the ongoing tension between public health institutions and groups that advocate for medical freedom and vaccine choice. While mainstream medical organizations and federal health agencies maintain that vaccines are a cornerstone of modern medicine, the attendees of this conference represent a growing segment of the public that remains distrustful of these institutions. The event sold out, indicating that despite widespread scientific rejection of their claims, these speakers maintain a dedicated and active following.