Public health experts continue to assert that Ivermectin is not an effective treatment for COVID-19, a stance reiterated by commentator Neil Stone following the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Stone stated in a recent tweet, > "Ivermectin doesn't work for Covid. It's a fantastic drug to treat worms. Not for Covid. RFK Jr does not know what he is talking about. Shocking that he is HHS Secretary." This highlights ongoing concerns regarding the intersection of scientific consensus and public health leadership.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as the 26th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in February 2025, following a contentious confirmation process. His nomination by then President-elect Donald Trump in November 2024 sparked debate due to Kennedy's long history of promoting vaccine skepticism and controversial health claims. Despite significant opposition from medical professionals and even some family members, he secured the position, now overseeing critical agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NIH.
Leading health organizations worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have consistently advised against the use of Ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. While Ivermectin is an FDA-approved antiparasitic drug for certain human and animal conditions, clinical trials have not demonstrated its efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. The FDA explicitly states that currently available data do not support its use for this purpose.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel recommends against Ivermectin's use outside of clinical trials due to insufficient evidence. Misuse of Ivermectin, particularly formulations intended for animals, has led to serious health issues, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death, prompting warnings from poison control centers. The scientific community emphasizes that effective and approved treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 are widely available and should be prioritized.