During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough questions regarding his stance on vaccines, particularly in light of his involvement in a deadly measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019. Kennedy clarified that he supports the measles vaccine and would not impede access to it if appointed as HHS secretary.
Regarding his trip to Samoa, Kennedy emphasized that his purpose was to improve health delivery systems and not to address vaccination issues directly. However, his visit was organized by anti-vaccine activists, raising concerns about his role in the outbreak.
In 2018, Samoa halted measles vaccinations due to two pediatric deaths linked to vaccination errors. The subsequent recall of vaccines led to a resurgence of measles cases in 2019, prompting the Samoan Ministry of Health to declare an outbreak.
Kennedy's letter to the Samoan prime minister questioning vaccine coverage or quality coincided with a UN warning about vaccine misinformation fueling the outbreak. By January 2020, Samoa had recorded over 5,700 measles cases and 83 deaths, predominantly among infants and children.
Measles is a serious disease, particularly for children under 5, with a higher fatality rate in low-income regions. The measles vaccine, recommended by the CDC, is highly effective, providing immunity to 97% of recipients after two doses.
The tragic consequences of the Samoa outbreak underscore the importance of accurate information and widespread vaccination to prevent such public health crises in the future.
