Measles-Linked Deaths Since RFK Jr. Took Office Surpass Previous 20 Years
"Measles is a runaway train with no end in sight,” one expert told Newsweek, as nearly 3000 cases have been recorded this year.
Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment as Health and Human Services Secretary in 2025, measles-linked deaths in the United States have surpassed the total from the prior two decades. During 2025 and 2026, five confirmed measles-related deaths occurred, including three CDC-confirmed fatalities in 2025 and two in 2026. Authorities in Pennsylvania reported the state's first measles deaths in 35 years, both involving unvaccinated individuals— an adult and an infant.
These deaths are now classified as measles-associated, pending CDC verification. From 2000 to 2020, only three U.S. measles deaths were documented—two in 2003 and one in 2015. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expressed condolences to affected communities, emphasizing the importance of vaccines and the need for enhanced response efforts.
Noel Brewer, a public health professor, called for a national measles vaccination education initiative. The spike in cases and fatalities is primarily linked to declining vaccination rates, fueled by vaccine hesitancy and parental distrust, according to health experts. The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000 due to the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine; however, a recent Johns Hopkins University study revealed a national decline in MMR vaccinations among children since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Lawmakers have criticized Kennedy for his vaccine skepticism, with some calling for his resignation. Despite facing criticism, Kennedy maintains that the CDC is taking appropriate measures and continues to advocate for measles vaccinations.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
