Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his long-standing scepticism towards vaccines, recently reignited controversy during an appearance on Chris Cuomo’s show on NewsNation. The discussion centred on measles vaccines and their connection to autism, following alarming reports of rising measles cases in the United States and Canada.

Kennedy highlighted the resurgence of measles, noting that Canada has recorded 1,069 cases. He pointed out that in the US, 884 people across 30 states have contracted measles, with 97 per cent of them being unvaccinated individuals. Among the reported cases, 11 per cent resulted in hospitalisation, and three fatalities have been confirmed, including two young girls, marking the first measles deaths in the country in a decade.

During the discussion, Kennedy stated, “We’ve had four measles deaths in this country in 20 years… We have 100,000 autism cases a year… That should be in the headlines.” He expressed his belief that media coverage disproportionately focuses on measles outbreaks while neglecting the so-called “epidemic” of autism. Kennedy shared his experiences from childhood, recalling, “When I was a kid, there were 2 million measles cases a year and none of them got headlines. And we had 400 deaths.”

Kennedy’s remarks come as Texas reports its largest measles outbreak since 2000, with 663 cases predominantly affecting young children. Health officials attribute these outbreaks largely to communities with low vaccination rates, asserting that about 90 per cent of measles cases occur in such areas.

The Health and Human Services Secretary’s push for increased focus on autism drew a mixed reaction. He said, “By 2035, we’re going to be spending a million dollars a year on autism,” while presenting statistics on the rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the US. He noted that in 1970, the diagnosis rate was 1 in 10,000, whereas today, it stands at approximately 1 in 31. This statistic positions the US significantly higher than other countries; the UK reports about 1 in 57, Canada around 1 in 50, and Japan about 1 in 55.

Kennedy’s claims relating autism to vaccines, particularly the measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine, have faced considerable backlash from the medical community. Experts argue that improved screening methods and greater awareness contribute to rising autism diagnoses, countering the notion that vaccines are a causative factor. Dr. Peter Hotez, leading vaccine developer at Baylor College of Medicine, expressed concern over the potential normalisation of measles outbreaks in the US, emphasising that vaccination is the most effective means of preventing severe complications associated with the disease.

The discourse reflects ongoing tensions within public health and the complexities of vaccine hesitancy. Health experts maintain that while the MMR vaccine, which significantly reduced measles deaths since its introduction, has been thoroughly studied, no evidence supports Kennedy’s claims related to autism.

This debate is particularly pressing as the US faces challenges in maintaining vaccination rates, with measles remaining a highly contagious virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has previously stated that without widespread immunity, communities could see a return of diseases that were once nearly eradicated.

Source: Noah Wire Services