Measles Is Back in the U.S., Thanks to Failed Policy

Soaring Cases, Deaths Show Destruction of U.S. Public Health

Late Friday, multiple news outlets reported that the Pan American Health Organization will shortly announce that the U.S. has lost its measles elimination status. Epidemiologists with Defend Public Health said today that even if those reports are premature it is now clear that measles is back thanks to the evisceration of U.S. public health under the leadership of Trump administration Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The group argued that Kennedy’s long campaign to undermine vaccination played a direct role in the U.S. having more measles cases so far this year than in any year since 1991.

“Because measles is so contagious, it’s considered a bellwether, a signal of problems in efforts to control disease,” said epidemiologist Gregg Gonsalves, a Yale researcher who serves on DPH’s Coordinating Committee. “RFK Jr. has spent over a decade trying to destroy disease prevention, the last two as HHS secretary, and his public health malpractice is coming home to roost. Congress can no longer sit back and twiddle its thumbs.”

Kennedy has repeatedly made misleading statements claiming that vaccines have not been adequately tested for safety. As of this month, the CDC still maintained a web page on vaccines and autism put up during RFK Jr.’s tenure containing the false statement that “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim.” Reports of a recent CDC meeting on measles indicated that attendees left feeling unsure of whether CDC  Director Erica Schwartz would “have the authority” to promote vaccination. 

An independent analysis commissioned by the New York Times of data PAHO has been considering reported last week that measles is indeed now endemic in the U.S.

“HHS under Kennedy has become an epidemiological crime scene,” said epidemiologist Elizabeth Jacobs, a University of Arizona professor emerita who serves on DPH’s Coordinating Committee. “Losing our measles elimination status combined with the fact that the CDC director doesn’t appear to know if she is allowed to speak publicly in support of vaccines would have been unthinkable before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became HHS Secretary. Kennedy’s reign of error must end. The new Congress must prioritize investigation and impeachment of Kennedy before even more people needlessly end up sick, hospitalized or dead from a disease we can prevent with vaccination.”

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Defend Public Health is a volunteer-driven network of public health researchers, healthcare workers, advocates and allies fighting to protect the health of all from the Trump administration's cruel attacks on proven, science-based public health policies. We believe that everyone has the right to what they need for a healthy life, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.
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