Consumer confidence is at an all-time low, with plummeting trust in vaccines being a major contributor. The consequences are devastating, particularly in Maine and throughout the country. Influenza is surging, with 42 flu-related deaths reported as of February 26, while measles cases are spreading rapidly.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new leader of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), lacks education, background, or experience in healthcare. His refusal to accept settled science on vaccines threatens public health progress and endangers children’s lives.
During his first Cabinet meeting, Kennedy dismissed concerns about a measles outbreak by claiming that outbreaks are “not unusual.” However, he now calls for action, stating that vaccines are safe. He recommends using vitamin A and cod liver oil to prevent measles mortality but fails to stress the importance of vaccination as the primary method of prevention.
As frontline nurses who have seen firsthand the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases, they urge parents to trust science and get their kids vaccinated. Vaccines have saved millions of lives globally since 1974 and are tested and verified by multiple agencies.
The rise in vaccine hesitancy is a concern for healthcare providers, who note that delaying vaccination can put not only the individual child at risk but also those around them. As spring break approaches, parents are encouraged to prioritize their children’s health by getting them vaccinated.
Source: https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/24/opinion-a-crisis-in-vaccine-confidence-has-led-to-a-surge-in-illness