Janice R. Andrews
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), has labeled the ongoing measles outbreak in west Texas as a “call to action,” urging parents to carefully consider vaccinating their children. Despite his history as a vaccine skeptic, Kennedy emphasized the importance of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in preventing potentially deadly diseases.
In an op-ed published on Fox News Digital, Kennedy acknowledged that the decision to vaccinate is “personal” but stressed the critical role vaccines play in safeguarding individual and public health. “Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” he wrote.
Kennedy called on healthcare providers, community leaders, and policymakers to work together to ensure accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy is widely shared. “We must engage with communities to understand their concerns, provide culturally competent education, and make vaccines readily accessible for all those who want them,” he added.
The outbreak, which has confirmed nearly 150 cases in west Texas, has already claimed the life of a child, marking the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015. The affected region includes a large Mennonite community, many of whom reject conventional medicine, including vaccines, despite the church’s neutral stance on immunization.
Kennedy highlighted data showing that 79 of the 146 measles cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals, 62 in those with unknown vaccination statuses, and only five in vaccinated individuals. He also emphasized the importance of good nutrition as a defense against chronic and infectious illnesses.
The MMR vaccine is mandatory for most children entering public schools in the U.S., but Texas allows exemptions for religious or conscience-based reasons. This has led to a significant rise in vaccine exemptions, from 0.76% in 2014 to 2.32% in 2024, according to state data. In Gaines County, nearly 14% of schoolchildren opted out of at least one required vaccine during the 2023-24 school year, with one district reporting a staggering 47.95% exemption rate.
The New York Post recently urged Kennedy to visit Texas and advocate for the vaccine, citing his unique position as a former skeptic whose own children are vaccinated. “Go to Texas, Mr. Secretary, and preach the truth as only a convert can: This vaccine is safe, and getting children jabbed is an act of love,” the Post editorialized. Such a move, the paper argued, could help rebuild public trust in vaccines and save lives.
Kennedy’s call to action comes amid a broader rise in vaccine skepticism across the country. Under his leadership, HHS has pledged to prioritize transparency and regain public trust in health agencies. “The measles outbreak in Texas is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health,” Kennedy concluded.
As the outbreak continues to grow, the debate over vaccination remains a pressing issue, with public health officials and advocates urging communities to prioritize immunization to prevent further spread of the disease.
