US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a longtime vaccination skeptic, on Sunday urged American parents to vaccinate their children against measles as the nation faces its worst outbreak in over three decades. The call came during a tense interview on CNN's State of the Union, where he acknowledged the measles vaccine is effective in about 97% of cases.
The United States has officially recorded 2,371 confirmed measles infections so far this year, surpassing the 2025 total of 2,289. Combined, the past two years have seen more measles cases than the rest of the 21st century put together, with the last comparable single-year figure occurring in 1991.
Kennedy's reversal under pressure
During the interview, CNN host Dana Bash pressed Kennedy to use his position to directly advise families as the new school year approaches. She urged him to tell parents that vaccination is safe and can save children's lives. Kennedy responded: "Parents should get their children vaccinated for measles. A measles vaccine is effective, it stops measles in about 97% of the cases. People should get vaccinated."
He later added that people should also receive the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which has been a primary target of the anti-vaccination movement. This statement starkly contrasts with Kennedy's years of amplifying misinformation questioning vaccine efficacy and safety. Even as health secretary, he has characterized measles vaccination as a personal choice and inaccurately claimed its power is waning.
Outbreak threatens elimination status
The call comes as measles spreads rapidly. The 37 new outbreaks recorded this year put the US at risk of losing its measles elimination status, held since 2000. The surge has been linked to vaccine hesitancy, which critics say Kennedy has fueled.
When asked if he bore any responsibility for the surge, Kennedy replied: "Absolutely not." He instead blamed religious communities that shun vaccines and global health conditions. However, experts like Ashish Jha, who advised the Biden White House on Covid, said the administration "has not done enough to promote vaccines" and to highlight measles' harms.
Combative interview and misinformation
Any hope of a change of heart faded as Kennedy turned combative, accusing Bash of "saying nonsense," "repeating like a parrot," and making unsupportable assertions. He even told her she had become "flustered," to which she replied calmly: "I am frustrated because you are the HHS secretary and you are talking about things that lead to vaccine hesitancy in this country."
Kennedy also said, "You probably don't understand this because you're not a scientist," prompting Bash to retort: "But you're not, either."
Beyond measles, Kennedy spread further misinformation, claiming that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Lyme disease were caused by laboratory manipulation of germs. Decades of scientific evidence show both have natural origins; RSV was identified in the 1950s, before gain-of-function research began. He also repeated unfounded claims linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism and cast doubt on Covid-19 vaccines for children.
Reactions from health experts
Ashish Jha, speaking later on the same show, said he was heartened to hear Kennedy say every child should get the MMR vaccine, but added that much of what the health secretary said "just isn't true." He emphasized that the rise in measles cases on Kennedy's watch is not coincidental.
The outbreak has sparked concern among public health officials, as measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, especially in children. The US had eliminated measles in 2000, but vaccine hesitancy has allowed it to return.
