RFK Jr Reverses Course on Measles Vaccine: What He's Said About Other Shots

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine critic, has recently expressed strong support for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the wake of a measles outbreak in the United States. However, there is little evidence that he has similarly softened his stance on other routine childhood vaccines such as COVID-19, HPV and hepatitis B. Kennedy, who has spent decades questioning vaccine safety, became Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary and publicly endorsed the MMR vaccine, acknowledging its effectiveness in preventing measles and recommending it for children.

This shift in tone from his previous statements is a significant change from his long-held vaccine skepticism. Health experts argue that vaccines undergo extensive research, clinical trials and review before FDA and CDC approval, and continue to be monitored for rare side effects. Kennedy's revised stance on MMR was confirmed in a recent CNN interview with Dana Bash, where he reiterated that the MMR vaccine is effective in preventing measles, which has been linked to a 97% reduction in cases.

Despite this, Kennedy has largely maintained his skepticism of COVID-19 vaccines and his concerns about the HPV and hepatitis B vaccines. Public health officials continue to monitor the measles outbreak, which has reached a record high in the U.S. in over three decades and is primarily occurring in under-vaccinated communities.