RFK Jr. Revives Vaccine Controversy Amid U.S. Measles Outbreak

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reignited controversy by repeating debunked claims about the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine during one of the nation's worst measles outbreaks in 25 years, particularly affecting a Mennonite community in Texas and spreading to several neighboring states. Kennedy alleged that the vaccine contains cells from aborted fetuses and questioned the effectiveness of the mumps component, assertions widely refuted by medical experts who clarified that while the rubella component uses a decades-old fetal cell line for production, no actual fetal cells or significant DNA are present in the final vaccine. Health officials and scientists warn that such misinformation could further erode vaccination rates, risking the loss of U.S. measles elimination status and contributing to the current surge in cases and fatalities. Despite Kennedy’s claims, the CDC maintains that the MMR vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing significant protection against mumps and measles. Kennedy, who says he isn’t opposed to vaccines, has faced criticism for undermining public trust in proven immunization measures, with experts emphasizing the vaccine's safety and importance amid the outbreak. The Department of Health and Human Services has not commented on Kennedy’s latest statements.