The US government’s response to the recent measles outbreak in West Texas has been met with criticism from experts, who say that top health officials are not doing enough to encourage Americans to get vaccinated. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, was criticized for downplaying the outbreak at a cabinet meeting and failing to explicitly advise parents to get their children vaccinated.
Kennedy’s response to the outbreak has been lukewarm, with him saying that vaccines “protect individual children from measles” but also emphasizing that the decision to vaccinate is a personal one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its first public statement about the outbreak only after nearly a month of cases had been reported.
Experts say that Kennedy’s approach is particularly concerning given his long history of sowing doubt about vaccines. Dr. Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, said that the CDC’s response has been “shouting with a whisper,” and that the agency should be providing greater national guidance and leadership to combat measles outbreaks.
The recent outbreak in West Texas has sickened over 140 residents and killed one child, highlighting the need for strong public health messaging. However, instead of urging Americans to get vaccinated, Kennedy’s response has been largely left to state and local officials, who have been promoting vaccine clinics and debunking misinformation. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, has urged his constituents to stay up-to-date on their measles vaccinations, but many are concerned that the CDC is not doing enough to provide national guidance.
As the outbreak continues to spread, experts warn that future outbreaks may not be manageable without federal assistance. The recent response from the Trump administration has raised concerns about its ability to respond to infectious disease emergencies.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/health/measles-vaccination-texas-kennedy.html