RFK Jr. Faces Criticism Over Measles Outbreak Response/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Health officials are criticizing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for delayed and inconsistent messaging during the U.S. measles outbreak. His unclear stance on vaccines and limited coordination with experts has hindered containment efforts. Pediatricians and public health leaders warn the confusion is undermining trust in lifesaving measures.
RFK Jr. Faces Backlash Over Measles Outbreak Handling: Quick Looks
- RFK Jr. criticized for delayed CDC response to measles outbreaks
- Outbreak reaches 700+ cases, with two child deaths in Texas
- Pediatricians waited weeks for standard CDC guidance
- Kennedy’s vaccine messaging called “unclear” and “harmful” by experts
- CDC withdrew and re-deployed field teams during West Texas outbreak
- RFK Jr. skipped in-person briefings, relied on emails for updates
- American Academy of Pediatrics excluded from early response coordination
- Local leaders left to promote vaccines as national message falters
RFK Jr. Faces Criticism Over Measles Outbreak Response
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — As measles cases surged past 700 nationwide and claimed the lives of two children in Texas, the federal response under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has come under intense scrutiny. Delays in communication, a lack of coordinated messaging, and Kennedy’s mixed comments about vaccines have drawn criticism from public health experts who say the response is falling short of past standards.
In a departure from traditional outbreak management, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did not issue its standard letter to pediatricians with guidance on handling measles cases until last week—long after outbreaks had been reported across several states and weeks after the first measles death was confirmed.
The delay is more than symbolic, say health officials. It’s part of a broader pattern of inconsistent leadership and undercommunication that they say has undermined public confidence in one of the most preventable diseases through vaccination.
“What we are lacking now is one clear, strong voice… saying that the vaccine is the only thing that will prevent measles,” said Patricia Stinchfield, an infectious disease expert and former CDC advisor.
Unusual Gaps in Leadership
Behind the scenes, sources told the Associated Press that Kennedy had not been briefed in person by CDC infectious disease experts at least through March 21—nearly two months after the first U.S. case. Former CDC communications director Kevin Griffis, who resigned in March, confirmed the absence of these crucial meetings, describing the situation as “extremely unusual.”
Traditionally, health secretaries hold weekly, face-to-face briefings with CDC staff during outbreaks to stay updated and aligned. Instead, Kennedy reportedly received updates via paper memos or email, signaling a break in long-standing public health protocols.
In the field, a CDC rapid response team deployed to West Texas in March was pulled on April 1, even as infections grew. Another team of seven was sent back this week, according to a CDC spokesperson.
Key Organizations Excluded
Public health coordination also faltered. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)—the nation’s largest pediatric group—was not involved in outbreak planning early on, officials said. Typically, the AAP and CDC collaborate closely during outbreaks, holding biweekly briefings to monitor field updates and guide messaging to parents.
Instead, pediatricians received just one CDC health alert on March 7, and the standard guidance letter weeks later, both seen by experts as delayed and insufficient.
Despite the turmoil, Kennedy praised the CDC this week, saying during an event in Indianapolis that the agency had “done a very good job controlling the measles outbreak.”
Vaccine Messaging Called ‘Dangerous’
More damaging than delays, say public health experts, is Kennedy’s conflicting rhetoric about the MMR vaccine. Though he occasionally refers to the vaccine as “effective,” Kennedy has also repeated false claims about its safety, including the inaccurate assertion during a CBS interview that it was “not safety tested.”
“Imagine if the captain of the Titanic warned you to be cautious about the lifeboats,” said Dr. Carlos del Rio, president of the Infectious Disease Society of America.
“That’s how dangerous this messaging is.”
Experts emphasized that the MMR vaccine underwent rigorous testing in the 1960s and is continuously monitored through extensive national health databases tracking side effects and safety.
Dr. Anne Schuchat, a 33-year CDC veteran, said federal leaders must be unequivocal:
“You don’t necessarily need the secretary of health to attend a funeral. But you don’t want mixed messages on vaccines.”
Silence from Texas Leadership
As federal messaging remains muddled, state leaders have been left to fill the void. In Texas, where the outbreak has hit hardest, Governor Greg Abbott has not held public briefings or strongly encouraged vaccination. His public response has been limited to a single social media post since January, with most updates handled by press aides.
In contrast, leaders in other states have taken more proactive roles. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a Republican, urged residents to get vaccinated ahead of Easter travel, even though no active cases exist in his state.
“If you’re not vaccinated, you’re going to get measles,” Pillen warned.
Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green, a physician, also made headlines by encouraging vaccine uptake after his state confirmed its first case in a year.
“When top leaders go silent, it erodes the efforts of those working at the local level,” said Dr. Oxiris Barbot, former New York City health commissioner during the 2019 measles outbreak.
Barbot coordinated closely with local religious leaders, doctors, and the CDC in 2019 and said national alignment—like that from President Trump and then-HHS Secretary Alex Azar—was critical in helping her persuade skeptical communities.
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