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US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has called on parents to vaccinate their children against measles, as the country faces its largest outbreak in decades. During a heated interview on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Kennedy said, "Parents should get their children vaccinated for measles. A measles vaccine is effective, it stops measles in about 97% of the cases. People should get vaccinated."

The remarks mark a notable shift for Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic who has spent years amplifying misinformation about vaccines, including the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot. His call came as the US has confirmed more than 2,370 measles infections this year, already surpassing last year's total of 2,289 cases – the most since 1991.

Coverage Comparison

Both ABC Australia and The Guardian – World reported Kennedy's urging, but they framed it differently. ABC Australia highlighted the record-breaking outbreak and described Kennedy as a "longtime vaccine critic" in a tone that was informative. The Guardian emphasized the contrast between Kennedy's past and present stance, using more critical language such as "contentious" and "misinformation."

The two outlets also differed in their causal attribution. ABC Australia linked the surge to "slumping immunisation rates and vaccine skepticism," while The Guardian pointed more directly to Kennedy's past statements and actions as contributing factors.

Both sources noted that Kennedy was asked during the interview whether he took responsibility for the surge, and both reported his denial. Kennedy was also reported to have accused CNN host Dana Bash of "repeating like a parrot" and becoming "flustered."

Key Claims

  • Kennedy urged parents to vaccinate their children, stating the measles vaccine is effective in about 97% of cases.
  • The US has recorded over 2,370 measles cases this year, surpassing last year's multi-decade high.
  • Kennedy has a history of spreading misinformation about vaccines, according to both sources.
  • Kennedy denied taking any responsibility for the measles surge.
  • National vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella dropped to 92.5% among kindergarteners in the 2024-25 school year, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • International health officials will meet in November to determine if the US and Mexico have lost their measles-free status, as reported by ABC Australia.

Perspectives

Kennedy Administration: Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, while urging vaccination, has denied responsibility for the outbreak and has a history of questioning vaccine safety.

Public Health Experts: Many health officials have cited a public backlash to the government's pandemic response and blame Kennedy's anti-vaccine policies for undermining trust in immunisations, as reported by ABC Australia.

The measles outbreak this year has affected states including South Carolina, Utah and Arizona, with additional clusters in other states. The disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, but recent declines in vaccination rates have allowed it to return.