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RFK Jr health criticism
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
RFK Jr. questioned Pennsylvania's measles death reports amid outbreak. Critics say his vaccine rhetoric has real-life consequences.
Background
Pennsylvania reported two measles-associated deaths, the first in 2026, amid a global outbreak. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a history of vaccine skepticism and recently questioned the accuracy of the death reports, drawing criticism from public health officials and politicians. The CDC and state officials emphasize the MMR vaccine as the best protection.
How it unfolded
- Aug 25, 2026Pennsylvania health authorities announced two unvaccinated people died from measles-associated causes.
- Aug 26, 2026RFK Jr. called Gov. Shapiro to offer federal assistance; the call turned heated. Kennedy also made social media remarks downplaying measles severity.
- Aug 27, 2026Kennedy questioned the accuracy of the death reports in Tampa, defending the administration's stance on vaccines.
- Aug 28, 2026Shapiro and Kennedy publicly sparred, with Shapiro blaming Kennedy's misinformation for the outbreak's impact.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- CDC and state health officials say the MMR vaccine is the most effective protection against measles and urge vaccination.
- Critics
- Critics, including Gov. Shapiro, accuse Kennedy of spreading misinformation that has real-life deadly consequences.
- Support
- Kennedy defends his stance, saying the administration is restoring faith in public health agencies and that the CDC is investigating the deaths.
Still unverified
Kennedy's questioning of the accuracy of the Pennsylvania death reports is disputed by state officials and public health experts.