It sad, unfortunate and unnecessary. The measles epidemic in Texas is deadly serious. Robert Kennedy, Jr. was the chairman of the Children’s Health Defense from 2015 to 2022. It is a radical fringe organization against approval of many vaccines, including the Covid-19 vaccines. They have filed many lawsuits against mandatory vaccines for children.

The outbreak of measles occur in communities near Lubbock, Texas where the percentage of unvaccinated residents is high. The Mennonite population is reluctant to be vaccinated. This seems to be the principal reason for the outbreak. Measles can be severe if the individual is malnourished. The Mennonites generally do not eat processed food, hence their diet is notably very healthy.

We have proven vaccinations against measles. “I’m very concerned about the messaging that’s coming out,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kahn, chief of infectious diseases at Children’s Health in Dallas. “It’s somewhat baffling to me that we’re relitigating the effectiveness of vaccines and alternative therapies. We know how to handle measles. We’ve had six decades of experience.”

So, Robert Kennedy, Jr. is the last person that should head the Health and Human Services in the US government. It is true that measles is rarely fatal and the fatality rate is one to three for every 1,000 people infected. Of the approximately 300 people infected in Texas, one unvaccinated child has died. I think that’s one too many.

In the past, Robert Kennedy has promoted false information that vaccines are dangerous and can cause autism and that unconventional remedies such as cod liver oil and Vitamin A are effective.

Robert Kennedy, Jr. stated:

“While there is no approved antiviral for those who may be infected, CDC has recently updated their recommendation supporting administration of vitamin A under the supervision of a physician for those with mild, moderate, and severe infection. Studies have found that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality.”

There is nothing more powerful to persuade vaccine hesitant people to refuse to be vaccinate, than to suggest they can simply take an ordinary over-the-counter supplement. It is especially bad when they also refuse to vaccinate their children.

Vitamin A does not prevent measles and can be harmful to children in large or prolonged doses, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. It has been shown to decrease the severity of measles infections in developing countries among patients who are malnourished and vitamin A deficient, a rare occurrence in the United States.

The community health experts are doing an excellent job of correcting misinformation and giving parents good reasons to vaccinate their children as the first line of defense against a disease that can result in death. Unfortunately, they must contend with a steady stream of misinformation coming from fringe groups, and supported by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Department, that vitamin supplements are effective remedies and there is nothing unusual about a measle outbreak in their community.

Stay tuned,

Dave

Links:

Daily Beast RFK, Jr. asks quack cure activist for help with deadly measles outbreak

New York Times: Kennedy Links Measles Outbreak to Poor Diet and Health, Citing Fringe Theories

AP, West Texans, Mennonites at center of measles outbreak choose medical freedom over vaccine mandates

Wikipedia, Children’s Health Defense

Reuters, Doctors push back as parents embrace Kennedy and vitamin A in Texas measles outbreak