HOUSTON — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he’s “deeply concerned” about the West Texas measles outbreak that’s killed one unvaccinated child and sickened dozens more.
With at least 158 confirmed cases, primarily in children under 17, it’s the worst Texas measles outbreak in more than three decades.
Last week, RFK Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, said the outbreak is “not unusual.” Now, he’s urging parents to consider vaccinating their children, saying the situation has “escalated rapidly” in an op-ed published by Fox News on Sunday.
“Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Kennedy wrote.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads easily. Experts say 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people exposed to measles will become infected. Those patients will then infect an average of 18 more people, according to experts.
“Prior to the introduction of the vaccine in the 1960s, virtually every child in the United States contracted measles,” Kennedy wrote in the op-ed.
In Texas, 116 of the confirmed cases are in children under 18 years old.
“The DSHS reports that 79 of the confirmed cases involved individuals who had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, while 62 cases had unknown vaccine status,” Kennedy pointed out. “As healthcare providers, community leaders, and policymakers, we have a shared responsibility to protect public health. This includes ensuring that accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy is disseminated.”
Kennedy said he’s directed the CDC to work closely with Texas health authorities and offer technical assistance and laboratory support as needed.
“While there is no approved antiviral for those who may be infected, CDC has recently updated their recommendation supporting administration of vitamin A under the supervision of a physician for those with mild, moderate, and severe infection,” Kennedy said. “Studies have found that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality.
He’s said he’s also spoken with the parents of the child who died.