RFK Jr Attributes US Measles Surge to Immigrants, Rejects Personal Blame
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has firmly rejected suggestions that his well-documented vaccine skepticism has played any role in the concerning measles outbreaks currently sweeping across the United States. Instead, during a tense congressional hearing, he pointed the finger squarely at immigrants entering the country.
Deflection During Budget Hearing
"It has nothing to do with me," Kennedy stated unequivocally to lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The hearing, primarily focused on his department's proposed budget for 2027, took a sharp turn into public health policy. When pressed on disease outbreaks, Kennedy redirected the committee's attention. "If you're worried about polio and tuberculosis, you should look at the immigration policies in this country," he asserted. "'Cause the place where it's occurring are the places where the immigrants are going, because they're not vaccinated."
A Record of Vaccine-Skeptical Actions
Since his appointment as Health Secretary, Kennedy has implemented several significant policy shifts aligning with his personal views. In a major move in June 2025, he dismissed all seventeen members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He replaced them with individuals known for their skepticism toward vaccines and criticism of established medical guidance.
Furthermore, his department has removed the Covid-19 vaccine from the recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. During the subcommittee appearance, Kennedy defended these actions and the administration's overall response to the surge in measles cases. He argued that low vaccination rates were a pre-existing issue, long predating his tenure in office.
Escalating Public Health Crisis
The context for this hearing is a serious public health situation. The United States has recorded more than 1,700 measles cases so far this year, following major outbreaks in Texas during 2025. This alarming trend now places America at risk of losing its hard-won measles elimination status, a designation it has held for decades.
Refusal to Commit to Future CDC Guidance
The hearing also revealed potential future conflict. Kennedy refused to commit to supporting the pro-vaccine recommendations of Erica Schwartz, who is former President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the CDC. When Representative Raul Ruiz of California asked, "If Dr. Schwartz is confirmed, will you commit on the record today to implement whatever vaccine guidance she issues without interference?" Kennedy's reply was blunt: "I'm not going to make that kind of commitment."
This stance underscores the ongoing tension between the Health Secretary's personal convictions and the mainstream scientific consensus championed by institutions like the CDC. The Independent has reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services for further comment on Kennedy's remarks, which have sparked significant debate about public health leadership and immigration discourse.
