Robert Kennedy Jr has apologized for describing the number of children injured by vaccines as 'a holocaust'. The nephew of President John F Kennedy used the term last week during the screening of a film that links autism to a chemical found in several childhood vaccinations - despite evidence to the contrary. On Monday, following a storm of criticism, he publicly retracted his statement. Back track: Robert Kennedy Jr has apologized for comparing vaccinated children to holocaust victims . Kennedy said he had been struggling for a way to convey the effects of autism on children and their families. 'I want to apologize to all whom I offended by my use of the word holocaust to describe the autism epidemic,' Kennedy said in a statement. 'I employed the term during an impromptu speech as I struggled to find an expression to convey the catastrophic tragedy of autism which has now destroyed the lives of over 20 million children and shattered their families.' He said he will use other words to describe the autism crisis in the future as he promotes the documentary Trace Amounts. The film purports that there is a connection between thimerosal - a chemical found in several childhood vaccines - and a rise in autism among American children - despite the majority of the scientific community dismissing any connection. Its release comes amid protests against a California bill that would limit vaccination waivers for schoolchildren. Incendiary comment: He made the comment last week while promoting a film that implies there is a link between thimerosal - a chemical used in vaccines - and autism, despite medical evidence to the contrary . It has generated such an acidic debate that some opponents have compared the proposal's author online to Adolf Hitler. State Sen. Richard Pan, a Democratic pediatrician from Sacramento, said he was under added security in response to his bill. The proposal will be heard Wednesday in a Senate education committee. Thursday marks Holocaust Remembrance Day. 'The word holocaust should never be used as a flippant throwaway line to make a point in a debate,' said Assemblyman Marc Levine, vice chair of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, during a Holocaust remembrance event on Monday in the California Assembly. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
Nephew of JFK, and son for former Attorney General, opposes vaccines .
He believes a chemical called thimerosal causes autism in children .
Promoting protest film, he likened vaccinated kids to holocaust victims .
On Monday, he apologized for the comment after widespread criticism .