RFK Jr. Appeals to Anti-vaxxers During Measles Crisis

WHO:

theguardian.com - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and headlined the anti-vaccine organization Children’s Health Defense.

theguardian.com - Mary Holland is the CEO of Children’s Health Defense.

theguardian.com - Andrew Wakefield is a former gastroenterologist whose medical license was revoked.

Prevention - William Schaffner, M.D., Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., and Mark Hicar, M.D., are infectious disease experts providing insights on measles.

WHAT:

theguardian.com - The measles outbreak has resulted in 3,294 confirmed cases across 47 states and jurisdictions in 2026.

theguardian.com - Pennsylvania has reported 731 cases of measles, with four deaths and 141 hospitalizations.

theguardian.com - Four individuals who died from measles in Pennsylvania were unvaccinated.

theguardian.com - Kennedy stated, “You have a strong and steadfast friend at the White House” during his speech at the conference.

theguardian.com - Recent polling indicates that one quarter of Americans have doubts about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines.

WHERE:

theguardian.com - The conference was held in Washington, D.C.

Prevention - The measles outbreak is particularly severe in Pennsylvania.

WHEN:

Prevention - The CDC updated data on measles cases on September 11, 2026.

theguardian.com - Kennedy's speech at the conference lasted nearly an hour and a half.

WHY:

theguardian.com - Kennedy urged anti-vaccine activists to be patient, stating he needed to follow the law to make permanent changes.

Prevention - Doctors indicated that infants under 12 months, unvaccinated pregnant individuals, and immunocompromised individuals are particularly vulnerable to measles.

HOW:

Prevention - The MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles after one dose and 97% effective after two doses.

Prevention - The MMR vaccine can be administered to children as young as six months in outbreak locations.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 02:08 UTC)

The ongoing measles outbreak has led to 3,294 confirmed cases across 47 states, with Pennsylvania reporting 731 of those cases, including four deaths among unvaccinated individuals. At a recent conference in Washington, D.C., Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, emphasized the need for patience among anti-vaccine activists while addressing the public's growing doubts about the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Health experts warn that infants under 12 months, unvaccinated pregnant individuals, and those who are immunocompromised are particularly vulnerable, highlighting the importance of vaccination, which is 93% effective after one dose.