The growing measles outbreak that began in western Texas is presenting the first major challenge to the nation’s new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the country’s most prominent vaccine skeptics.

What You Need To Know

  • There were 301 confirmed Measles cases as of Friday

  • New Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is known to be a vaccine skeptic

  • Two and a half months into 2025, the U.S. already has more measles cases than all of 2024

Some health experts are voicing concerns about his response. 

Two and a half months into 2025, the U.S. already has more measles cases than all of 2024.

There were 301 confirmed cases as of Friday and the number is expected to grow. 

The initial response to the outbreak by Kennedy is drawing criticism from some health experts.

Kennedy has said the measles vaccine should be readily accessible for “all those who want them,” but he’s also talked about potential adverse effects from it.

“It causes all the illnesses that measles itself causes,” Kennedy said in a recent Fox News interview.

In reality, health experts say the measles vaccine is safe.

“The vaccine doesn’t give you measles, it gives you antibodies that protects you against getting measles,” American Public Health Association Executive Director Dr. Georges C. Benjamin said.“The vaccine doesn’t give you measles, it gives you antibodies that protects you against getting measles,” American Public Health Association Executive Director Dr. Georges C. Benjamin said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97% effective against measles, a disease that can lead to serious complications, with nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children dying from it.

For the small share of vaccinated people who do get measles, their symptoms are generally milder than those who aren’t vaccinated.

Around 95% of the people who have gotten measles this year are unvaccinated, or their vaccine status is unknown, according to the CDC.

“Let me remind people that the secretary is an attorney not a physician. He’s got absolutely no health background,” Benjamin said.

Asked for comment, an HHS spokesman cited a recent op-ed by Kennedy, in which he wrote, “vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.” The spokesman also pointed to Kennedy’s comments where he supported providing “up-to-date guidance on available therapeutic medications.”

Benjamin said the Trump administration’s response also has been hurt by vacancies in several top health posts, including a permanent director of the CDC.

“Not only do you not have a CDC director, but you also don’t have a surgeon general or an assistant secretary for health. So, most of the people who normally would be the public spokespeople for these types of things aren’t there,” Benjamin said.

Last week the president pulled his nominee for CDC director, Dr. David Weldon, who is also a vaccine skeptic. Sources familiar tell Spectrum News he didn’t have the votes to get confirmed.

Benjamin said Kennedy needs to improve his communication around measles, saying he’s sowing confusion over what should be clear cut science.

“The secretary needs to use all of his resources to tell people to get adequately vaccinated,” Benjamin said. “Jump on this thing with both feet, deploy as many people to do the case finding.”