RFK Jr. Calls for Vaccination After Measles Outbreak in Texas Kills Two Unvaccinated Children

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. travelled to West Texas on Sunday after a second unvaccinated school-aged child died from a measles-related illness. Ahead of a "Make America Healthy Again" tour across the southwestern United States, Kennedy said in a social media post that he was in Gaines County to comfort families who had to bury two young children who have died. Seminole, Texas, is the epicentre of a measles outbreak that started in late January and continues to swell, with nearly 500 cases in the state alone. He said he was also working with Texas health officials to "control the measles outbreak." Kennedy, an anti-vaccine advocate before ascending to the role of the country's health secretary earlier this year, has resisted urging widespread vaccinations as the measles outbreak has worsened under his watch. "The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine," Kennedy said in a lengthy statement posted on social media. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has been used safely for more than 60 years and is 97 per cent effective against measles after two doses.

Second unvaccinated child dies from measles as RFK Jr. pushes vitamin A over vaccine A second child has died from a measles-related illness in West Texas as the outbreak continues to spread, health officials confirmed over the weekend. The region's outbreak, with close to 500 cases reported, has raised concerns among health officials and lawmakers over the surge in illnesses that could be prevented. RFK recently stated that while the measles vaccine remains the most effective protection against the highly infectious and potentially deadly disease, vaccination should be a "personal choice." In lieu of urging vaccinations, he has instructed the CDC to revise its measles guidelines to advocate for the use of vitamin A in fighting off the infection.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged the public to get the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine after a second school-aged child died from the virus in Texas, calling it the “most effective” way to prevent the spread of measles. Kennedy traveled to Gaines County, Texas, on Sunday to attend the funeral of an 8-year-old girl who died from measles. He also met with state health officials and Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) about how his department can continue to support efforts to control the measles outbreak, which has now spread from West Texas to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

A second child has died from a measles-related illness in West Texas. The cause of death has yet to be released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 500 cases of measles have been reported in the area since the start of the year.

RFK Jr. consoles Texas family: MMR vaccine ‘most effective’ way to stop measles spread. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. touted the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 8-year-old Daisy Hildebrand died from the disease.