Overview

• Oklahoma has reported two probable measles cases, marking the spread of the outbreak beyond Texas and New Mexico, with 223 cases now reported nationwide.
• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has downplayed the importance of the MMR vaccine and promoted unproven treatments, including cod liver oil, steroids, and antibiotics, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy for measles.
• Kennedy claimed that 'natural immunity' from measles infection could protect against other diseases, a statement widely refuted by public health experts.
• The vaccination rate in some affected areas, such as Gaines County, Texas, is below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, contributing to the outbreak's severity.
• Medical professionals and public health advocates have condemned Kennedy's remarks and policies, emphasizing that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles and reduce its impact.