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3d ago

HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Faces Backlash Over False Measles Vaccine Claims

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. falsely asserted that the MMR vaccine contains 'aborted fetus debris,' as the U.S. faces its second-highest measles outbreak in 25 years, with 884 cases and three deaths reported across 25 states.

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. listens to a reporter's question during a press conference announcing of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply, at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the Rx and Illicit drug Summit, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 30: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump convened the meeting as reports released today say the U.S. economy contracted 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, the first negative reading in three years, fueled by a massive surge in imports ahead of the administration's expected tariffs. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, claimed the MMR vaccine contains 'aborted fetus debris,' a statement widely refuted by medical experts.
  • The MMR vaccine is produced using cell lines derived from two legal abortions in the 1960s, but no fetal cells or tissue are present in the final vaccine, according to scientific consensus.
  • The CDC has reported 884 confirmed measles cases across 25 states since January, including three deaths; Texas remains the epicenter with 663 cases and two child fatalities.
  • HHS announced plans for placebo-controlled vaccine trials and new surveillance systems, raising concerns among experts about the ethics and potential impact on vaccine trust.
  • Public health figures, including Dr. Irwin Redlener and Dr. Paul Offit, have condemned RFK Jr.'s statements, warning of the risks to public health and vaccination efforts.