Health secretary earlier said outbreak was ‘not unusual’ but with first US measles death in decade steps up response

Summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reversed his stance on a measles outbreak in Texas, now calling it a “top priority” after initially describing it as “not unusual.” This shift comes after the first U.S. measles death in a decade was reported.

Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine views, announced his department would send 2,000 MMR vaccine doses to Texas.

CDC data shows 164 measles cases reported across nine jurisdictions as of February 27, with approximately 95% of infected individuals being unvaccinated.

Meanwhile, Kennedy’s HHS department plans to eliminate public participation in many agency policy decisions, contradicting his previous promise of “radical transparency.”