Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s transition team for the Department of Health and Human Services includes several prominent anti-vaccine activists, raising concerns about the future direction of public health policy.

Kennedy, recently tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead HHS, has assembled a team that includes Del Bigtree, a well-known anti-vaccine figure, and Aaron Siri, a vaccine injury attorney. Both have been involved in vetting potential staff members for the department.

“It appears that a litmus test is being applied to candidates on one issue: vaccine skepticism,” said one public health leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It is deeply concerning that a nonprofit organization concerned about one issue is involved with vetting candidates that will work on deeply complex matters spanning the public health field and huge sprawling agencies.”

Despite his history of vaccine skepticism, Kennedy has recently attempted to downplay these views.

“I’m going to make sure scientific safety studies and efficacy are out there, and people can make individual assessments about whether that product is going to be good for them,” he told NBC News.

Related Story: Five Ways RFK Jr. Could Undermine Lifesaving Childhood Vaccines

Kennedy’s transition operation, which he manages partly from his California home, includes former campaign staff and family members. The team has been actively involved in personnel decisions, sometimes clashing with other transition advisers.

The process of staffing the new administration has been described as chaotic and unstructured. Trump’s team has rejected federal transition resources, including FBI background checks, opting instead for a private vetting process. This approach has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and lack of transparency.

Read more at Politico