US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. Changes Stance on Measles Vaccine: ‘Contributes to Herd Immunity’

US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism towards vaccines, announced on Sunday (02.03.25) that he now supports the measles vaccination amid an outbreak spreading across southwestern states. An unvaccinated child died from measles in Texas at the end of February, marking the first death from the disease in the US in a decade. Previously, Kennedy had propagated false information about the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and dismissed the ongoing measles epidemic in the US as not unusual. However, speaking on Fox News, Kennedy expressed deep concern about the recent measles outbreak. “Vaccines not only protect children from measles but also contribute to herd immunity, protecting those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons,” he wrote in an article. Despite this, he reiterated that the decision to vaccinate is personal and urged parents to stay informed about their options regarding the MMR vaccine. Kennedy also requested federal health services, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to support Texas health authorities. He emphasized that healthcare providers, officials, and communities are responsible for ensuring accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy is communicated and that vaccines are accessible to all who desire them. Kennedy rejected accusations of being anti-vaccine, stating his views have been misrepresented and insisted he supports reasonable policies. As of late February, over 160 measles cases were recorded in the US, most in eastern Texas, according to the CDC. Although measles was eradicated in the US in 2000 due to vaccination, there has been a rise in outbreaks in recent years due to declining vaccination rates following misinformation during the covid-19 pandemic. Most cases this year in Texas have been traced to a county with a large population of Mennonites, a conservative religious group. The situation echoes the 2019 measles outbreak in New York and New Jersey among ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, where over 1,100 cases were reported.