RFK Jr. Says His Department Advises All Children to Get Measles Vaccine
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., under intense questioning from Democrats, has softened his previous criticism of the MMR vaccine, stating before the Senate Finance Committee that his department promotes and advises every child to get the vaccine.
- This stance contrasts with his past comments where he refrained from recommending the vaccine during a measles outbreak and encouraged parents to "do your own research" rather than providing direct medical advice.
- Despite this shift, Kennedy maintained his view that the decline in infectious disease mortality in the 20th century was due to improvements in hygiene and sanitation rather than vaccines.
- He cited a 2000 Pediatrics study to support this claim but omitted that the same study acknowledged vaccines had virtually eliminated deaths from diseases like polio and measles.
- Senator Bill Cassidy challenged Kennedy on his interpretation of the study, highlighting that Kennedy had taken the research out of context during the hearing.
