- United States
- Texas
- Letter
The spread of misinformation and unsubstantiated claims from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines is deeply concerning. As measles cases surge across multiple states, putting lives at risk, it is imperative that public health officials provide accurate information based on scientific evidence to control the outbreak and promote vaccination. Kennedy's promotion of unproven alternative treatments like cod liver oil and his dismissal of the severe risks posed by measles undermine public trust in vaccines and enable the further spread of this highly contagious disease. Furthermore, his claims that the MMR vaccine causes deaths and illnesses akin to measles itself are categorically false according to data from the CDC and WHO. Vaccines have been proven overwhelmingly safe and effective, saving millions of lives globally. Initiatives to defund research on increasing vaccination rates, cancelling key advisory committee meetings, and considering cuts to mRNA vaccine development only exacerbate this public health crisis. Promoting vaccine hesitancy through misinformation and obstructing efforts to boost vaccination rates is an unacceptable dereliction of duty for the nation's top health official. Immediate action must be taken to remove Kennedy from his position and restore scientific integrity and evidence-based policymaking at the highest levels of the Department of Health and Human Services. The ongoing measles outbreak demands a comprehensive, data-driven response grounded in proven public health measures, not the proliferation of dangerous pseudoscience. Ensuring public confidence in vaccine safety is critical to protecting vulnerable populations and preventing further suffering and loss of life.