Many posts have discussed myths and misinformation. The greatest spreader of vaccine misinformation is the secretary of Health and Human Services.
Measles continues to spread in West Texas and New Mexico, with more than 250 people infected — many unvaccinated school-age children. Two cases in Oklahoma, for which state officials have not provided a location, have also been linked to these outbreaks. Eleven other states have reported isolated measles cases, typically linked to international travel.
In a sweeping interview, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health and human services secretary, outlined a strategy for containing the measles outbreak in West Texas that strayed far from mainstream science, relying heavily on fringe theories about prevention and treatments.
He issued a muffled call for vaccinations in the affected community, but said the choice was a personal one. He suggested that measles vaccine injuries were more common than known, contrary to extensive research.
He asserted that natural immunity to measles, gained through infection, somehow also protected against cancer and heart disease, a claim not supported by research.
He cheered on questionable treatments like cod liver oil, and said that local doctors had achieved “almost miraculous and instantaneous” recoveries with steroids or antibiotics.
Tommy Christopher at Mediaite:
A viral clip of that exchange was hit with a “Community Note” on X/Twitter that read “According to the CDC, MMR vaccinations are an effective and safe way to prevent measl
In fact, RFK Jr.’s carefully-worded claim about measles deaths is wildly misleading — there have actually been zero deaths from the vaccine among healthy people — and the deaths that have occurred have been in people for whom vaccination is already not recommended:There have been no deaths shown to be related to the MMR vaccine in healthy people. There have been rare cases of deaths from vaccine side effects among children who are immune compromised, which is why it is recommended that they don’t get the vaccine.The Tuesday night clip was the second of a two-part Hannity interview from a Florida Steak ‘N Shake.
