Summary
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reversed his stance on a measles outbreak in Texas, now calling it a “top priority” after initially describing it as “not unusual.” This shift comes after the first U.S. measles death in a decade was reported.
Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine views, announced his department would send 2,000 MMR vaccine doses to Texas.
CDC data shows 164 measles cases reported across nine jurisdictions as of February 27, with approximately 95% of infected individuals being unvaccinated.
Meanwhile, Kennedy’s HHS department plans to eliminate public participation in many agency policy decisions, contradicting his previous promise of “radical transparency.”
It’s really not too late, every unvaccinated person who receives a vaccine today is one person who’s less likely to become a transmission vector. Also, this MMR shipment would potentially replenish dwindling stocks, because lots of people in West Texas who hadn’t previously been vaccinated have already been getting vaccinated
To be clear, I’m not defending RFK Jr and his literally insane ideas in any way
I was being a bit facetious, but also there’s a good chance there’s enough unvaccinated people out there now acting as vectors that we might be looking at mutations that have overtaken the vaccine. Absolutely agree that the more people vaccinated the better, and I really hope it can out a stop to this outbreak!
The measles virus doesn’t mutate like coronaviruses or influenza viruses, that’s why the vaccine has been so successful at eradicating it
Well, that is reassuring at least!