Vaccine Skeptic RFK Jr Supports Measles Jab Amid Deadly US Outbreak

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a well-known vaccine critic, expressed support for the measles vaccine on Sunday as a deadly outbreak of the disease spreads through the southwestern United States.

An unvaccinated child tragically died in late February in Texas, marking the first US fatality from the highly contagious virus in a decade.

Kennedy, who was recently confirmed as Health Secretary, has previously made numerous controversial statements about the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and initially downplayed the significance of the ongoing outbreak, suggesting that annual outbreaks were “not unusual.”

However, in a shift of stance, Kennedy voiced his “deep concern” over the recent surge in measles cases, in an opinion piece published by Fox News.

“Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Kennedy wrote.

He continued by emphasising that “the decision to vaccinate is a personal one” and encouraged all parents to “consult with their healthcare providers to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine.”

Kennedy added that he had instructed federal health agencies, including the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to assist Texas health authorities in managing the outbreak.

Recent staffing cuts at the CDC and other health agencies, part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping government overhaul, have raised concerns about the capacity of these organisations to respond effectively.

The health secretary also noted that health workers, officials, and communities were responsible for ensuring “accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy is disseminated” and for making “vaccines readily accessible for all those who want them.”

Kennedy has previously rejected accusations of being anti-vaccine, asserting that his stance has been mischaracterised and insisting that he advocates for “common sense” policies.

As of the end of February, more than 160 measles cases had been reported across the United States, with the majority in eastern Texas, according to the CDC. Texas health authorities confirmed 146 cases since late January.

Misinformation surrounding vaccines has led to a nationwide decline in immunisation rates, with the latest outbreak concentrated in a Mennonite religious community that has historically been reluctant to vaccinate.

While measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, outbreaks have continued to occur annually. The MMR vaccine is highly effective at preventing the disease, with two doses providing an estimated 97 percent immunity.

Context:

The resurgence of measles in the US highlights the importance of vaccination and the risks posed by vaccine hesitancy. Despite the vaccine’s proven effectiveness, misinformation and declining immunisation rates remain significant challenges in the fight to protect public health. The current outbreak is a stark reminder of the global efforts needed to maintain herd immunity and safeguard vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.