HHS Secretary Kennedy attributes U.S. measles surge to missed vaccinations during COVID
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the current measles outbreak stems from reduced vaccinations during the pandemic and claimed the U.S. response is stronger than that of other nations.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the rise in measles cases across the United States is linked to a decline in vaccinations that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Citing Dr. Anthony Fauci’s earlier warnings, Kennedy told reporters that the pandemic-related slowdown in measles immunizations would lead to higher mortality from the disease.
"We’re having a global measles outbreak right now, it’s all over the world. The measles outbreak is occurring because so many people went unvaccinated during the COVID pandemic," Kennedy said, adding that Fauci had predicted "we’re going to kill more people from measles than we’re going to save from COVID as we’re shutting down measles vaccination programs."
The Associated Press reported 4,410 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. as of Oct. 15, the highest annual total since 1991, with Pennsylvania recording four deaths, though the CDC has officially recognized only one. Kennedy asserted that the U.S. response has been more effective than that of other countries, comparing the 4,000 U.S. cases to 20,000 in Mexico, 7,000 in Canada and 135,000 in Europe.
He also criticized Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for initially declining a CDC epidemiology assistance request, saying the state “didn’t want help from the Trump administration.” Kennedy said the aid would now be provided to help contain the outbreak.
Medical experts responded critically, with CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner stating that Kennedy has “done more to cast doubt about the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine” and calling the blame placed on Fauci “laughable.”