RFK Jr. encourages people to get measles vaccine in first network TV interview since becoming health secretary
CBS Mornings
" and the "
CBS Evening News
" on Wednesday, April 9.
Health and Human Services Secreaty Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told CBS News he encourages people to get vaccinated against measles as an
outbreak primarily in West Texas
has killed two children and infected more than 500 people in the area.
"We encourage people to get the measles vaccine," Kennedy told CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook on Tuesday during his Make America Healthy Again tour in Arizona, marking the first time Kennedy has publicly urged people to get the measles vaccine since becoming HHS secretary.
Asked by LaPook what the federal government's official position on the vaccine is, Kennedy reiterated, "The federal government's position, my position, is that people should get the measles vaccine," but added, "The government should not be mandating those."
Kennedy had previously
acknowledged the vaccine's efficacy
in an opinion piece published by Fox News in March, in which he wrote that he was "deeply concerned about the recent measles outbreak" and said, "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."
And on social media last weekend, Kennedy wrote, "The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine." But he stopped short of recommending people actually get the vaccine in both instances.
Prior to that piece, Kennedy had downplayed the growing number of cases and made several
false and misleading claims
about the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Kennedy, referring to the ongoing outbreak, had at one point called it "not unusual." However, with more than 600 cases nationwide just four months into 2025, the U.S. has seen the most measles infections in a single year since a 2019 outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Measles
is highly contagious and can cause
severe infections
in the lungs and brain that can lead to cognitive issues, deafness or death. But doctors and health officials say
the MMR vaccine
is extremely
safe and effective
.
Most people who develop measles will see their symptoms improve, but about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people will be hospitalized. About 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and up to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected will die, the CDC says.
Both of the children who died in this year's outbreak were unvaccinated, and health officials have said the overwhelming majority of people infected in West Texas are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Kennedy has insisted he is not anti-vaccine and says
his views
have been mischaracterized.
"I always said during my campaign and every part, every public statement I've made, 'I'm not gonna take people's vaccines away from them,'" Kennedy told LaPook. "What I'm gonna do is make sure that we have good science so that people can make an informed choice."
Taylor Johnston
and
Sara Moniuszko
contributed to this report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
‘Make America Healthy Again' is winning young voters — Democrats should worry
Could RFK Jr. prove to be the Trump administration's secret weapon? Recent polling shows Americans trust Republicans over Democrats on nearly every major issue confronting our country: the economy, immigration, foreign policy and inflation. The two areas where Democrats hold the upper hand is health care and vaccines. RFK Jr. has a shot of undermining that advantage, especially with young voters. Although the Health and Human Services secretary has been relentlessly blasted by the liberal media for being 'anti-vaccine' (which Kennedy denies), a great many Americans like Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again agenda and agree that corporate interests are helping to make Americans sick and overly reliant on pharmaceuticals. A poll conducted by NBC News last month (in which Trump earned only a 45 percent job approval) showed that a majority of the country (51 percent) liked what RFK is doing, whereas only 48 percent disapproved. Interestingly, when asked who was to blame for America's chronic health problems, including obesity and heart disease, a plurality of respondents blamed the food industry. Much of RFK's agenda makes sense. A New York Times author last fall set out to debunk five of Kennedy's main claims about the nation's health, but ended up supporting three of them. For example, she concluded that 'many public health and nutrition experts agree' with his assertion that 'Ultraprocessed foods are driving the obesity epidemic, and they should be removed from school lunches.' On the subject of food dyes, which the HHS secretary says 'cause cancer, and ADHD in children,' she wrote, 'some small clinical trials have suggested that certain synthetic food dyes may increase hyperactivity in children.' 'Many experts agree,' she continued, 'it wouldn't hurt to avoid them.' How about his suggestion 'that consuming too many added sugars, especially from high fructose corn syrup, contributes to childhood obesity and cardiovascular disease?' Answer: 'Correct.' RFK Jr. is shaking up the food industry. In April, the Food and Drug Administration announced it would move to eliminate several petroleum-based dyes, which Kennedy claims can cause cancer and ADHD in kids, by the end of next year. Already, a large number of top brands, including General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, McCormick, Pepsico and Sam's Club, have taken steps to replace the artificial dyes used in candy, ice cream and other products with natural ingredients, despite the costs of doing so. The changes are likely to be popular, despite the less alluring colors of mint chip ice cream or Froot Loops. In Canada and Europe, foods colored with artificial dyes are required to carry a warning label. Consequently, manufacturers generally use natural products instead. Call me crazy, but the fact that so many food companies are making the switch, despite the expense and possibility of lost sales, suggests they know something they're not publicizing about these dyes and that Kennedy is on the right track. In May, Kennedy and his 'Make America Healthy Again' commission targeted ultra-processed foods in a 69-page report. Ultraprocessed foods, which make up 70-plus percent of Americans' diet, are made with manufactured rather than natural ingredients and formulated to encourage people to eat more, which adds to our obesity problems. A study last year of the dietary habits of nearly 10 million people published in the British Medical Journal revealed that exposure to ultra-processed food 'was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.' In particular, the study linked ultraprocessed foods to increased incidents of some 30 health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and mental health disorders. Is Kennedy right to take them on? Absolutely. The wonder is that no one has investigated the industry before this. It is actually not a puzzle. According to Open Secrets, agribusiness PACs donated nearly $31 million to politicians last year, while food sales and processing firms threw in another $3 million. Moreover, the food industry spilled $16 million on lobbying. That buys a lot of protection. Meanwhile, RFK Jr.'s concerns over widely prescribed vaccines has been harshly criticized by the medical establishment. The left has accused him of downplaying a measles outbreak in Texas, and talking up cures rather than advocating for increased vaccinations. But Kennedy has acknowledged that public trust in U.S. vaccine mandates and indeed in our health industries need to be rebuilt. He is right. That has led to a complete overhaul of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, citing 'persistent conflicts of interest' among members of the former board which, he wrote in a recent op-ed, 'has never recommended against a vaccine — even those later withdrawn for safety reasons.' Having new, independent researchers take a fresh look at Americans' vaccine regimen should be welcomed. Kennedy's willingness to gore sacred cows and ask tough questions make him popular with young people, and is likely contributing to Republican gains with young male and female Gen-Zers. A recent Fox News interviewer asked a young influencer why young voters are 'flocking to MAHA.' Lexi Vrachalus answered that she and others were alarmed by the rise chronic diseases in their peers — diseases that are preventable with diet and lifestyle choices. Asked about her focus on the gut, she explained, 'if we eat bad, we are going to feel bad mentally and physically, so I think it's crucial that we fuel our bodies with real, whole, single ingredient, unprocessed foods.' In May, The New York Times published a piece about 'The Rise of the 'Crunchy Teen' Wellness Influencer' writing, 'High schoolers are appealing to other health-conscious kids online, sometimes by expressing views in line with the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement.' The skeptical Times writer found plenty of reason to find the trend concerning, as teens may, for instance, over-emphasize one diet component or another. But Democrats should find the trend concerning as well, especially as Kennedy's MAHA program continues to win over young voters.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Record share of US kindergartners missed required vaccinations last year, ahead of surge in measles cases
A record share of US kindergartners had an exemption for a required vaccination last school year, and coverage for all reported vaccines – including the measles vaccine – was lower than the year before, according to new data published Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 3.6% of incoming kindergartners in the 2024-25 school year had an exemption for a required vaccine, leaving about 138,000 new schoolchildren without full coverage for at least one state-mandated vaccine, the new data shows. Exemptions jumped more than a full percentage point over the past four years, the CDC data shows, and the vast majority – all but 0.2% – were for non-medical reasons. About 286,000 kindergartners had not completed the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination series in the 2024-25 school year, as cases climbed this year to the highest they've been since the disease was declared eliminated in the US a quarter-century ago. MMR coverage dropped to 92.5%, marking the fifth year in a row that coverage has been below the federal target of 95%, according to the CDC data. The vast majority of this year's measles cases have been in unvaccinated children. 'Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children from serious diseases like measles and whooping cough, which can lead to hospitalization and long-term health complications,' the CDC said in a statement. 'CDC is committed to working closely with state and local partners by providing tools, resources, and data that help communities promote vaccine access and awareness.' But the statement also echoed language that is often used by US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying that 'the decision to vaccinate is a personal one. Parents should consult their healthcare providers on options for their families.' Forty-five states allow religious beliefs to be used as a basis for a vaccine exemption for children beginning school, and 15 states allow exemptions for other personal or philosophical reasons, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. 'As pediatricians, we know that immunizing children helps them stay healthy, and when everyone can be immunized, it's harder for diseases to spread in our communities,' Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the AAP, said in a statement. 'At this moment when preventable diseases are on the rise, we need clear, effective communication from government leaders recommending immunizations as the best way to ensure children's immune systems are prepared to fight dangerous diseases.' This week, the organization reaffirmed its longstanding position that non-medical exemptions to school immunization requirements should be eliminated. 'The science behind vaccines demonstrates that the benefits greatly outweigh any potential risks,' said Dr. Sean O'Leary, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. 'There really aren't good reasons to opt out.' However, in the 2024-25 school year, vaccine exemptions increased in 36 states, according to the new CDC data. In 17 states, more than 5% of kindergartners had exemptions – meaning reminders from administrators to complete paperwork or doctor's visits won't be enough to raise coverage to the 95% goal for two doses of MMR vaccine set by HHS, a threshold necessary to help prevent outbreaks of the highly contagious disease. 'There are more and more states where even the potentially achievable coverage that we can get by catching everyone up who's overdue is getting lower and lower,' said Dr. Josh Williams, a pediatrician with Denver Health and associate professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 'So we are now in a situation where in many states, and certainly in many communities within certain states, there's simply not enough herd immunity to protect against outbreaks of these vaccine-preventable diseases, especially measles.' In a study from 2019, Williams and fellow researchers found interesting patterns in vaccine exemptions: When both religious and personal belief exemptions are available in a state, religious exemptions tend to be low, but rates of religious exemptions increase significantly when the personal belief exemption goes away. 'That leads to the kinds of recommendations that you see from organizations like the AAP, basically saying it appears that these exemption policies are not really doing what they were intended to do, that people are kind of using these perhaps in the ways that they were not intended,' he said. Only five states limit vaccine exemptions to medical reasons, according to the AAP: California, Connecticut, Maine, New York and West Virginia. Numbers on MMR coverage in West Virginia were not available in the latest data from the CDC, but the four other states are among the small group of 10 states that reached the federal goal of 95% coverage among kindergartners. In 2023, a federal court paved the way for religious exemptions to be added to Mississippi school vaccination policy. Exemption rates immediately jumped in the state, and MMR coverage has dropped about 1 percentage point, CDC data shows. Overall, nationwide MMR coverage among kindergartners dropped from 92.7% in the 2023-24 school year to 92.5% in the 2024-25 school year, according to the CDC. Experts say that a change like this may seem small but can significantly raise risks. 'It's a small percentage point change that adds up if it happens year over year, and that is what we've been seeing,' Williams said, and the change isn't distributed evenly. 'Individuals who tend to refuse vaccines tend to cluster together. … It's probably that the areas where there have been low uptake now have even worse uptake, and the areas where there have been more reasonable uptake continue to stay reasonable.' The vast majority of measles cases reported in this record-breaking year have been concentrated in Texas. MMR coverage in the state has been trending down for at least the past decade, CDC data shows, with just 93.2% coverage among kindergartners. Exemptions have surged past 4% – well above the national rate – and a law passed by the state legislature this year would make it even easier to get an exemption. Starting in September, the affidavit form to file for an exemption will be available to print from the state health department's website, without the need to file a written request. There was a lot of testimony opposing this change, said Dr. Philip Huang, director of the Dallas County health department. 'We were making the point during the whole thing that there needs to be a consistent message of unequivocal support for vaccinations from the top,' he said. 'We're very concerned about what's happening with HHS and the messaging sort of undermining that.' Experts say that vaccines can sometimes be 'victims of their own success,' with people not realizing how much protection they offer until they see the suffering that can happen when they're not utilized. This year's measles outbreak – which has led to three deaths and dozens of hospitalizations, mostly among children – may raise the urgency around the need to vaccinate and help to start to turn the trend around, experts say. 'The declines that we're seeing for measles and for other vaccines are always concerning, but perhaps in the context of one of our larger measles outbreaks in recent memory, I think a lot of people have it in mind with returning to school this fall,' Williams said. 'In my clinical practice here in Denver, we are getting requests from families who are worried about measles transmission in school and in day care. We've had some families coming in who want to get that protection on board prior to the school year beginning to make sure that their child is going to be as protected as possible prior to going back to school this fall.' Williams says he likes to remind parents that most people support vaccination and that he works hard to gain the trust of parents who are hesitant. 'It's always good to remember that the vast majority of parents vaccinate their kids on time and according to the recommended schedule,' he said. 'When that's not true in a school or in a community, I think that's an opportunity for advocates to speak up and talk to other parents and be partners in the process of improving vaccine confidence.'
UPI
9 hours ago
- UPI
Vaccination rates of U.S. kindergartners down, measles cases up
A MMR vaccine information packet is seen at City of Lubbock Health Department in Lubbock, Texas, in March. According to an update from the Texas Department of State Health Services on Friday, there was was an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas where 146 cases were identified as of late January. New CDC data shows that vaccination rates are down in the United States. Photo by Annie Rice/EPA-EFE July 31 (UPI) -- Vaccination rates among U.S. kindergarten students decreased during the 2024-2025 school year, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the District of Columbia. Rates ranged from 92.1% for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis to 92.5% for measles, mumps and rubella. Vaccination rates for polio and varicella dropped in more than half of the states compared to a year prior, the data show. "The number of kindergarteners attending school without documentation of completing the MMR vaccine series was about 286,000 during the 2024-2025 school year," the report said. Overall, the number of kindergartners exempt from one or more vaccines during the 2024-2025 school year reached nearly 138,000, the data showed. The drop in vaccination rates comes amid an uptick in the number of measles cases in the United States. There have been 29 reported outbreaks in 2025, compared with 16 in 2024. Of 1,156 cases reported so far this year, 87% of them have been confirmed, compared to 198 of 285 confirmed cases, or 69%, in 2024.
