RFK Jr Attributes Measles Surge to Immigrants, Rejects Vaccine Criticism
During a recent hearing, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pointed fingers at immigrants for the resurgence of measles and other diseases in the United States, firmly denying any connection to his own vaccine skepticism.
“It has nothing to do with me,” Kennedy asserted to lawmakers while discussing the 2027 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services. His comments came amid rising concerns over public health.
He elaborated, “If you’re worried about polio and tuberculosis, you should look at the immigration policies in this country. The outbreaks are occurring in areas where immigrants are settling, as they are often unvaccinated.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services later clarified that Kennedy's remarks were taken out of context. “Current outbreaks are largely concentrated in close-knit, under-vaccinated communities with prevalent international travel that raises the risk of measles importation,” the statement read. “Measles is a global challenge, and the United States continues to have a lower overall measles burden than Canada, Mexico, and much of Europe.”
Since taking office as Health Secretary, Kennedy has implemented changes reflecting his personal views on vaccination. In June 2025, he dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with individuals who share his skepticism towards vaccines.
Additionally, he has removed the Covid-19 vaccine from the recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, further aligning health policy with his beliefs.
While addressing the subcommittee, Kennedy distanced himself from responsibility for the measles outbreaks, attributing low vaccination rates to conditions that existed before his tenure. This year alone has seen over 1,700 reported cases of measles in the U.S., following significant outbreaks in Texas in 2025, raising alarms about the potential loss of the country’s measles elimination status.
When pressed by Rep. Raul Ruiz of California about supporting pro-vaccine recommendations from Erica Schwartz, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the CDC, Kennedy was noncommittal. “I’m not going to make that kind of commitment,” he stated when asked if he would implement her guidance without interference.
