Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Denies Link To Measles Outbreak At Senate Hearing

With the rising measles cases, the US is most likely to lose its measles elimination status, acquired in the year 2000. The reason is in plain sight: the lack of vaccination.

The US recorded 2,288 measles cases last year – the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in the country 25 years ago. Another 1,748 cases have already been reported this year, so far, raising concerns among experts that the US could lose its elimination status.

However, US Health Secretary Robert F <span>Kennedy</span> Jr, long known as a vaccine skeptic, who faced intense questioning from several US senators, denied his role. He instead attributed the surge in measles cases in the country to global outbreaks. 

<h2><span rel="noindex">Measles Outbreak</span> in US: "I Have Nothing To Do With It", Says Kennedy</h2>

According to public health specialists, Kennedy failed to strongly promote vaccination and instead highlighted unproven treatments such as steroids while the virus spread across state lines.

In his opening remarks to the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Ron Wyden criticized Kennedy’s messaging on vaccines, saying: “When it comes to vaccines, <span>Robert Kennedy</span> has used this once-in-a-lifetime platform to make parents doubt themselves and doubt their doctors.” 

“The secretary has ducked, bobbed, and weaved without taking the responsibility of saying what needs to be said: vaccines save lives in America,” he added.

However, he replied: “I have not visited Mexico or Europe. I have nothing to do with the measles outbreak. A lot of nations have lost their elimination status; (the) outbreak has nothing to do with me". "The whole world had their worst measles year,” he added.

Noting that he “promoted the measles vaccine”, Kennedy explained that most unvaccinated Americans who contracted measles last year were over the age of 5 years, meaning their parents decided not to vaccinate well before he assumed his role at HHS. 

But David L. Hill, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the issue is nuanced. 

“When 95 per cent of the population is vaccinated, sporadic cases from outside the country don’t spread as they are doing now, where rates in many communities have fallen below that level,” Hill told CIDRAP News. “So, anyone who is spreading misinformation about the safety or effectiveness of the <span>measles vaccine</span> shares in the responsibility for these outbreaks, especially if they have the ear of the public.

“All of our public health professionals have an obligation now to speak out clearly and forcefully in favor of universal measles vaccination, which we know saves lives.”

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/surging-measles-cases-in-us-prompting-antivaxxers-to-quietly-embrace-mmr-vaccine-report-article-154133789" data-type="tilCustomLink">Surging Measles Cases In US Prompting Antivaxxers To Quietly Embrace MMR Vaccine: Report</a>

 <h2>Senators Probe Kennedy's Role In <span rel="noindex">Childhood Flu Deaths</span></h2>

Further, the senators also questioned Kennedy about his role in childhood flu deaths. As of April 2026, the 2025-26 US flu season has seen 143 pediatric deaths, as per CDC data.

Senator Michael Bennet questioned Kennedy about changes to vaccine recommendations, pointing out that 2025 saw the highest number of childhood flu deaths — 280 pediatric deaths — in modern American history.

“I assume you no longer believe that the <span>flu vaccine</span> is destroying children’s brains, that there’s zero evidence that the flu vaccine prevents any hospitalizations or any deaths, because today, you’re here agreeing that the vast majority of kids that died from the flu were people without vaccines,” Bennet said.

Kennedy replied: “We’re making sure that we follow the science.” 

Senator Ben Ray Luján also accused Kennedy of “pushing vaccine misinformation” that predated his tenure and pressed him to explain how he would reduce the number of measles cases and improve the <span>MMR</span> vaccination rate.

“We promote the MMR. We advise every child to get the MMR,” Kennedy said. 

<strong>Read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-cdc-study-showcasing-covid-vaccine-benefits-blocked-from-publication-article-154144808" data-type="tilCustomLink">US CDC Study Showcasing COVID Vaccine Benefits Blocked From Publication</a>

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause devastating complications, including blindness, pneumonia, encephalitis, and long-term immune dysfunction. 

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include: 

<ul><li>high fever, </li><li>cough, </li><li>runny nose, </li><li>red eyes, </li><li>rashes across the body. </li></ul><h2>How To Stay Safe </h2>

To safeguard against measles, individuals should 

<ul><li>ensure timely vaccination, especially for children. </li><li>Maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, helps reduce transmission. </li><li>Avoiding close contact with infected individuals and ensuring proper nutrition to boost immunity are also important.</li></ul>

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With the rising measles cases, the US is most likely to lose its measles elimination status, acquired in the year 2000. The reason is in plain sight: the lack of vaccination.The US recorded 2,288 measles cases last year – the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in the country 25 years ago. Another 1,748 cases have already been reported this year, so far, raising concerns among experts that the US could lose its elimination status.However, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, long known as a vaccine skeptic, who faced intense questioning from several US senators, denied his role. He instead attributed the surge in measles cases in the country to global outbreaks. Measles Outbreak in US: "I Have Nothing To Do With It", Says KennedyAccording to public health specialists, Kennedy failed to strongly promote vaccination and instead highlighted unproven treatments such as steroids while the virus spread across state lines. In his opening remarks to the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Ron Wyden criticized Kennedy’s messaging on vaccines, saying: “When it comes to vaccines, Robert Kennedy has used this once-in-a-lifetime platform to make parents doubt themselves and doubt their doctors.” “The secretary has ducked, bobbed, and weaved without taking the responsibility of saying what needs to be said: vaccines save lives in America,” he added. However, he replied: “I have not visited Mexico or Europe. I have nothing to do with the measles outbreak. A lot of nations have lost their elimination status; (the) outbreak has nothing to do with me". "The whole world had their worst measles year,” he added.Noting that he “promoted the measles vaccine”, Kennedy explained that most unvaccinated Americans who contracted measles last year were over the age of 5 years, meaning their parents decided not to vaccinate well before he assumed his role at HHS. But David L. Hill, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the issue is nuanced. “When 95 per cent of the population is vaccinated, sporadic cases from outside the country don’t spread as they are doing now, where rates in many communities have fallen below that level,” Hill told CIDRAP News. “So, anyone who is spreading misinformation about the safety or effectiveness of the measles vaccine shares in the responsibility for these outbreaks, especially if they have the ear of the public. “All of our public health professionals have an obligation now to speak out clearly and forcefully in favor of universal measles vaccination, which we know saves lives.” Also read: Surging Measles Cases In US Prompting Antivaxxers To Quietly Embrace MMR Vaccine: Report Senators Probe Kennedy's Role In Childhood Flu DeathsFurther, the senators also questioned Kennedy about his role in childhood flu deaths. As of April 2026, the 2025-26 US flu season has seen 143 pediatric deaths, as per CDC data. Senator Michael Bennet questioned Kennedy about changes to vaccine recommendations, pointing out that 2025 saw the highest number of childhood flu deaths — 280 pediatric deaths — in modern American history. “I assume you no longer believe that the flu vaccine is destroying children’s brains, that there’s zero evidence that the flu vaccine prevents any hospitalizations or any deaths, because today, you’re here agreeing that the vast majority of kids that died from the flu were people without vaccines,” Bennet said. Kennedy replied: “We’re making sure that we follow the science.” Senator Ben Ray Luján also accused Kennedy of “pushing vaccine misinformation” that predated his tenure and pressed him to explain how he would reduce the number of measles cases and improve the MMR vaccination rate. “We promote the MMR. We advise every child to get the MMR,” Kennedy said. Read: US CDC Study Showcasing COVID Vaccine Benefits Blocked From Publication What Is Measles?Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause devastating complications, including blindness, pneumonia, encephalitis, and long-term immune dysfunction. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include: high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, rashes across the body. How To Stay Safe To safeguard against measles, individuals should ensure timely vaccination, especially for children. Maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, helps reduce transmission. Avoiding close contact with infected individuals and ensuring proper nutrition to boost immunity are also important.