'Real-life consequences': Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro, RFK Jr. spar over measles-associated deaths

Key Points:

• Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are publicly disputing the announcement of two measles-associated deaths amid a state outbreak, with Shapiro accusing Kennedy of spreading misinformation.
• The two deaths, the first measles-associated fatalities in the U.S. this year and first in Pennsylvania in 35 years, involved unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, including an infant, according to state officials.
• Kennedy has questioned the accuracy of the deaths being linked to measles and suggested the announcement may have been premature or fabricated, claims refuted by Pennsylvania health officials who confirmed reporting to the CDC.
• The CDC stated Pennsylvania declined federal assistance and has not provided outbreak information, while the state health department insists it is in regular contact with the CDC and reports weekly case data.
• Despite recent public support for the MMR vaccine by Kennedy, his past statements have expressed vaccine skepticism, contrasting with CDC data showing serious health risks from measles, especially among unvaccinated individuals.