RFK Jr. Backs Measles Vaccine Amid Record US Outbreak

In a surprising turn during a contentious CNN interview, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told parents to vaccinate their children against measles as cases surge across America.

"Parents should get their children vaccinated for measles," Kennedy said Sunday. "A measles vaccine is effective, it stops measles in about 97 percent of the cases."

The statement comes as the US battles its worst measles outbreak in decades. More than 2,370 cases have been confirmed this year, already surpassing 2025's multi-decade high of 2,289 cases.

Major outbreaks have hit South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona, with smaller clusters emerging in other states. The disease was declared essentially eradicated in the US in 2000, a triumph that now hangs in the balance.

Utah has been fighting measles for over a year, with more than 700 confirmed cases. State epidemiologists suspect the true number could be three to four times higher based on genetic analyses and mathematical modeling.

The crisis stems from falling vaccination rates nationwide. Coverage for measles, mumps, and rubella dropped to 92.5 percent among kindergarteners in the 2024-25 school year, down from 95.2 percent in 2019-20.

That might sound high, but the magic number is 95 percent. That's the threshold needed to prevent outbreaks and protect those who can't be vaccinated, including infants and people with compromised immune systems.

The Bright Side

Kennedy's public endorsement of the measles vaccine represents an important moment in rebuilding trust in this lifesaving immunization. While he denied responsibility for the surge, his clear message that the measles vaccine works and parents should use it could help turn the tide.

Health departments across the country are using this opportunity to remind families that measles vaccination is safe, effective, and necessary. Many communities are offering free or low-cost vaccination clinics to make access easier.

International health officials will meet in November to assess whether the US can maintain its measles-free status. The goal is clear: get vaccination rates back above 95 percent and protect every community.

Kennedy ended his interview by emphasizing the vaccine's 97 percent effectiveness rate, a message health officials hope will resonate with hesitant parents nationwide.