(Patriot.Buzz) – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. surprised many by urging Americans to get vaccinated against measles amid a deadly Texas outbreak.
See the tweet below.
Despite his history of vaccine skepticism, Kennedy now calls the situation “a call to action” as the death toll rises and government health agencies mobilize to contain the spread under President Trump’s administration.
Since late January, 146 confirmed measles cases have been reported in Texas, including one child fatality – the first measles-related death in the United States in over a decade.
The majority of cases have been concentrated in eastern Texas, particularly within vaccine-hesitant communities.
Kennedy, who has historically questioned vaccine safety, wrote in a Fox News opinion piece that before the MMR vaccine was introduced in the 1960s, “virtually every child in the United States contracted measles.”
This acknowledgment marks a significant shift in tone from the controversial figure who previously downplayed the Texas outbreak as “not unusual.”
The measles outbreak comes at a critical time when vaccination rates have declined nationwide.
Meanwhile, vaccine misinformation has contributed to growing hesitancy, with recent cases concentrated in a Mennonite community known for low immunization rates.
Despite measles being declared eliminated in the US in 2000, outbreaks continue to occur annually.
Kennedy, who was recently confirmed as HHS Secretary despite opposition from many establishment health officials, has directed federal health agencies to support Texas authorities in managing the outbreak.
This is because the CDC and other health agencies face staffing cuts due to President Trump’s government overhaul efforts to eliminate bureaucratic waste.
The HHS Secretary emphasized that while vaccination is a “personal” decision, it also contributes to community immunity by protecting those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
Kennedy promised that under his leadership, the department would maintain “radical transparency” to regain public trust in health agencies, which many conservatives believe has been eroded over recent years.
HHS Director Robert Kennedy Jr. writes that the “measles outbreak is a call to action for all of us” and that the “MMR vaccine is crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease.”https://t.co/QSGx9K1s77 pic.twitter.com/YsZcc5WENA
— Jerry Dunleavy IV 🇺🇸 (@JerryDunleavy) March 2, 2025
Kennedy also highlighted the importance of “good nutrition” in defending against chronic and infectious illnesses.
This position aligns with his long-held belief in addressing underlying health factors rather than relying solely on pharmaceutical interventions.
“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,” RFK said.
The measles vaccine has proven highly effective, with two doses providing 97% lifetime immunity.
However, Kennedy insists he is not anti-vaccine but rather advocates for “common sense” policies that respect parental rights while protecting public health.
As the outbreak escalates, stakeholders in the health sector face a crucial test: balancing public health safeguards with respecting individual sentiment.
Kennedy’s calls, though unexpected, could be pivotal in reversing the current trend and ensuring a future without such preventable outbreaks.
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