6 takeaways from RFK exclusive. No to flu shots, seed oils, yes to meat in diet.

WASHINGTON – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the public face of U.S. health policy, revealed in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY his personal views behind the government actions he pursues as secretary of health and human services.

Kennedy explained why he stopped getting annual flu shots in 2005, as the department reduced the number of vaccinations recommended for children. But he said he's read favorable studies about ivermectin treating respiratory ailments, even if the Food and Drug Administration hasn't approved it for treating COVID-19.

As the department published new dietary guidelines, Kennedy revealed he eats only meat and fermented foods. He also described his personal concerns about seed oils but said they haven’t been scientifically validated yet.

And he described his health concerns about cellphone towers as the department embarks on a study of electromagnetic radiation.

“My job as HHS secretary is to tell the truth to people and then to let them make up their own minds,” Kennedy said. “But for an agency like this to be effective, it has to have public credibility.”