Addressing concerns sparked by recent reports, President-elect Donald Trump firmly stated on Monday that his administration has no plans to ban the polio vaccine. Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump unequivocally denied the rumors, emphasizing, "That's not going to happen."

The rumors stemmed from the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, known for his controversial views on vaccines, has previously questioned their effectiveness. A recent New York Times article further fueled concerns, reporting on a lawyer associated with Kennedy who had previously petitioned to halt the distribution of several vaccines, including the one for polio.

These reports drew criticism from various figures, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who warned against undermining public trust in established medical practices. Trump's clear statement on Monday directly addressed these concerns, offering reassurance to the public.

While dismissing the possibility of a ban, Trump indicated that he expects Kennedy to provide a comprehensive report on his views regarding the polio vaccine. "Nothing is going to happen very quickly," Trump explained. "We're going to have reports… I think you're going to find that [Kennedy] is… a very rational guy."

Trump further emphasized his personal connection to the issue, mentioning friends who have been impacted by polio and highlighting the positive impact of the vaccine. He also praised Dr. Jonas Salk, the developer of the first polio vaccine.

Despite reassuring the public about the polio vaccine, Trump did express concern over the increasing prevalence of autism in the U.S. He stated his intention to investigate the reasons behind this rise, a topic Kennedy has linked to vaccines in the past. "We're going to look into finding why the Autism rate is so much higher than it was 20, 25, 30 years ago," Trump stated.

A spokesperson for the Trump transition team clarified Kennedy's position, stating, "Mr. Kennedy believes the Polio Vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly and properly studied."