RFK Jr. Urges Parents to Vaccinate Children Amid Outbreak

WHO:

USA Today - Ashish Jha, who advised Joe Biden’s White House on its Covid response, commented on Kennedy's statements regarding the MMR vaccine.

Fox News - Kennedy accused Bash of committing "press malpractice" during the interview.

Fox News - Kennedy stated, "Absolutely not," when asked if he accepts any responsibility for the measles outbreak.

The Guardian - Kennedy claimed that Mexico has 15 times the amount of measles per capita than the U.S., Canada has four times, and England has two times.

Fox News - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary.

Fox News - Dana Bash is a CNN host who interviewed Kennedy.

The Guardian - Kennedy is described as a leading vaccination skeptic.

WHAT:

USA Today - Kennedy stated, "I never questioned the efficacy of the MMR vaccine."

USA Today - Kennedy claimed that in addressing a future pandemic, "constitutional rights" must be the "number one priority."

USA Today - Kennedy said that the United States had the worst outcomes of any other country during the COVID-19 pandemic, a fact contested by Bash.

The Guardian - Kennedy stated, "I will say it right now, that people, parents should get their children vaccinated for measles."

USA Today - Kennedy claimed that the U.S. had the worst outcomes of any other country during the COVID-19 pandemic, a fact contested by Bash.

The Guardian - The U.S. has now officially recorded 2,371 confirmed measles infections so far this year, surpassing the total tally in 2025 of 2,289.

The Guardian - The incidence of measles has reached numbers not seen in the past 35 years.

USA Today - Kennedy stated, "In fact, in Anthony Fauci's diaries, he talks about how President Trump is calling him every day, trying to get him to reopen the country."

USA Today - Kennedy claimed that Fauci said in his diary that the group who "missed their measles vaccinations because of the shutdown" could lead to "far more excess deaths from measles among children than coronavirus deaths among children."

Yahoo - The formerly-eradicated measles is back, with over 2,300 Americans infected in 2026 alone, the highest number since 1992.

USA Today - Kennedy stated that the United States had the worst outcomes of any other country during the COVID-19 pandemic, a claim contested by Bash.

USA Today - Kennedy claimed that in Anthony Fauci's diaries, Fauci mentioned that the lockdowns would cause massive outbreaks of measles and more children would die as a result.

USA Today - Kennedy said, "I never questioned the efficacy of the MMR vaccine."

USA Today - Kennedy is working on reforms for processed foods as part of his "Make America Healthy Again" agenda and expressed confidence that changes to the ultra-processed food definition and "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) rule will be public in a month.

The Guardian - Kennedy urged American parents to vaccinate their children against measles amid a surge in infections.

The Guardian - The U.S. has recorded 2,371 confirmed measles infections so far this year, surpassing the total of 2,289 in 2025.

The Guardian - Kennedy stated, "A measles vaccine is effective. It stops measles in about 97% of the cases."

The Guardian - There have been 37 new measles outbreaks recorded this year.

The Guardian - Kennedy claimed that the past two years have seen more measles infections in the U.S. than the rest of the 21st century combined.

The Guardian - The last time a greater number of measles cases were recorded in a single year was in 1991.

WHERE:

The Guardian - The interview took place on CNN's "State of the Union."

WHEN:

The Guardian - The interview occurred on a Sunday morning.

WHY:

USA Today - Kennedy blamed COVID-19 lockdowns for the measles cases, citing Fauci's diary that indicated lockdowns would lead to massive outbreaks of measles.

The Guardian - Kennedy's call for vaccination comes as the U.S. risks losing its measles elimination status held since 2000 due to rising cases.

The Guardian - Kennedy attributed the outbreaks to religious communities that refuse vaccines and global health conditions.

HOW:

USA Today - Kennedy criticized gain-of-function research, stating it is not effective, and mentioned that the Trump administration announced plans to end this research.

Fox News - Kennedy was pressed by Bash to use his position to advocate for measles vaccination as the new school year approached.

The Guardian - Kennedy's combative interview style included personal attacks and dismissive remarks towards Bash.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 10:33 UTC)

Ashish Jha, who advised Joe Biden’s White House on its Covid response, commented on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent statements regarding the MMR vaccine, where Kennedy asserted, "I never questioned the efficacy of the MMR vaccine." He also emphasized that in preparing for a future pandemic, "constitutional rights" must take precedence, while claiming that the U.S. had the worst outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, a statement that has been contested. Additionally, Kennedy attributed the rise in measles cases to COVID-19 lockdowns, citing Fauci's diary, and criticized gain-of-function research, noting that the Trump administration had announced plans to end this controversial research.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 04:07 UTC)

During an interview, Kennedy accused Bash of committing "press malpractice" and firmly stated, "Absolutely not," when asked if he accepts any responsibility for the measles outbreak. He emphasized the importance of vaccinations, declaring, "I will say it right now, that people, parents should get their children vaccinated for measles," while also asserting that the U.S. had the worst outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, a claim that Bash contested. Additionally, Kennedy criticized gain-of-function research as ineffective and noted that the Trump administration had announced plans to end this type of research.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 00:03 UTC)

The U.S. has officially recorded 2,371 confirmed measles infections this year, surpassing last year's total of 2,289 and marking the highest incidence of measles in 35 years. In a recent statement, Kennedy referenced Anthony Fauci's diaries, where Fauci reportedly mentioned that President Trump was in daily contact, urging him to reopen the country. Kennedy also warned that the missed measles vaccinations during the shutdown could lead to more excess deaths from measles among children than from coronavirus.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 16:24 UTC)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently stated that the United States had the worst outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, a claim that was contested by others, and he also alleged that Anthony Fauci's diaries indicated lockdowns would lead to outbreaks of measles and increased child mortality. Kennedy emphasized that he has never questioned the efficacy of the MMR vaccine and is currently working on reforms for processed foods as part of his "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, with changes to food definitions expected to be public in a month. Additionally, he criticized gain-of-function research, asserting that it is ineffective and noted that the Trump administration had announced plans to end this type of research.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 12:59 UTC)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, is urging American parents to vaccinate their children against measles as the country faces a surge in infections, with 2,371 confirmed cases reported this year alone. In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Kennedy emphasized the effectiveness of the measles vaccine, stating it stops the disease in about 97% of cases, while also noting that the past two years have seen more infections than the rest of the 21st century combined. He attributed the recent outbreaks to religious communities that refuse vaccines and global health conditions, as he faced tough questioning from CNN host Dana Bash about his stance on vaccination ahead of the new school year.