Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attributes measles outbreak to COVID-19 lockdowns while defending MMR vaccine efficacy
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns were the primary cause of the current measles outbreak, which has reached its highest level in 35 years. During a CNN interview, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argued that while the pandemic disrupted routine immunizations, the lockdowns themselves caused the damage. He defended the efficacy of the MMR vaccine, noting that he has never questioned its effectiveness, and urged parents to get their children vaccinated. However, critics and experts noted that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made several factually inaccurate claims during the broadcast. He asserted that the United States has the highest COVID-19 death rate, a claim disproven by data showing the U.S. does not rank in the top ten. He also suggested that COVID-19 vaccines were not beneficial for children, despite extensive studies showing they reduced hospitalization risks. Furthermore, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. denied that the vaccine-autism link had been studied, despite it being one of the most extensively researched topics in modern medicine. The administration announced plans to end gain-of-function research, a move supported by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who criticized the research method for its risks.