RFK Jr. Encourages Vaccination Amid Growing Texas Measles Crisis

[Social Media]

 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is urging people to get vaccinated against measles following a severe outbreak in Texas. On Sunday, Kennedy voiced his support for the MMR vaccine, a notable stance given his long history of skepticism toward vaccines.  

 

Kennedy, who has previously promoted debunked claims about vaccinations, recently appeared to downplay the Texas outbreak, stating that such incidents are “not unusual.” His remarks last week raised concerns, especially considering his past reluctance to offer clear positions on vaccines during Senate confirmation hearings.  

 

However, in a Fox News op-ed, Kennedy made a strong case for immunization. Under the subheading "MMR vaccine is crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease," he acknowledged the importance of widespread vaccination. "Virtually every child in the United States contracted measles" before the MMR vaccine was introduced in the 1960s, he wrote. He also highlighted historical data showing that between 1953 and 1962, there was an average of 530,217 confirmed measles cases per year, resulting in 440 deaths—a fatality rate of 1 in 1,205 cases.  

 

"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 stated. Despite this, he maintained that "the decision to vaccinate is a personal one."  

 

The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported at least 146 cases of measles in the South Plains and Panhandle since January. Among the confirmed cases, a school-aged child in Lubbock who had not been vaccinated died after contracting the highly contagious virus. The outbreak has intensified concerns about declining vaccination rates and the risks posed to unprotected individuals.  

 

Based on a report by AXIOS  2025-03-04

 

 

[flyingtlger]

11 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Kennedy, who has previously promoted debunked claims about vaccinations, recently appeared to downplay the Texas outbreak, stating that such incidents are “not unusual.”

JFK Jr. is a meat head....

 

[Chomper Higgot]

Years spent undermining vaccination programs is not going to be reversed by wormhead making any comments.

 

Tragically more deaths and injuries might  be the only way the message gets through, and that’s only a ‘might’.

 

 

 

 

[bradiston]

He's in charge of bodily fluids.

 

 

[Anthony mellows]

Sounds like Trump has had a quiet word with him.

[Purdey]

I suppose it is difficult to be anti vaccine when you are surrounded by medical experts.

[johng]

9 minutes ago, Purdey said:

I suppose it is difficult to be anti vaccine when you are surrounded by medical experts.

 

I suppose its also difficult   when you are blamed (unjustly)  for the death of children ?

If and when, as he said he wanted to do, "proper"  safety studies reveal their conclusions  I wonder if those "experts" will change their tune  or just keep singing from the same hymn sheet ?

[mithunonthenet]

After children die, this conspiracy theory spreading nutjob says the opposite! Yet another Trump-appointed moron!

[theshu25]

The ex junkie is in charge of the health of the USA,  Unbeleiveable.

[rattlesnake]

1 hour ago, theshu25 said:

The ex junkie is in charge of the health of the USA,  Unbeleiveable.

 

[Patong2021]

8 hours ago, Purdey said:

I suppose it is difficult to be anti vaccine when you are surrounded by medical experts.

 Many  have resigned from the  Department. Some of them are hard core Republican that date back to the Bush era and others who were hired during Trump's first term. I expect that they are frustrated by the stupidity.