obert F. Kennedy Jr., the new head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has long cast doubt on the safety of vaccines—particularly the one for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). But in his opinion piece about the ongoing measles outbreak, published March 2 in Fox News Digital, Kennedy wrote that 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.” Kennedy's acknowledgement of the value of the measles vaccine comes as the outbreak that began in Texas continues to grow. So far, nearly 150 cases and one death—the first U.S. fatality from the disease in more than 10 years—have been confirmed. It's the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. in decades. When Kennedy previously discussed the outbreak at a cabinet meeting last week, he did not mention vaccination. However, in the Fox piece, Kennedy also wrote about the importance of a good diet in protecting people from measles—a factor that experts say may not be very relevant for Americans. “Good nutrition remains a best defense against most chronic and infectious diseases,” he wrote. He also touted vitamin A for people with measles. On Feb. 27, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which HHS oversees, updated their guidance to say that while there is no antiviral treatment for measles, “supportive care, including vitamin A administration under the direction of a physician, may be appropriate.” Restoring a city’s charm Branded Content Restoring a city’s charm By China Daily Here's what experts think about Kennedy's first major public communication in his new role at the helm of the top U.S. health agency. A (qualified) endorsement of vaccination Kennedy acknowledges what public-health experts have long maintained: that the best way to control measles is to vaccinate the public and give them immunity to the virus. Of the 146 cases reported so far, state health officials say 79 people were not vaccinated against MMR. But while he concedes the importance of population-level vaccination in order to achieve community-wide protection, he also maintains that “all parents should consult with their healthcare providers to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine. The decision to vaccinate is a personal one.” Read More: A Study Retracted 15 Years Ago Continues to Threaten Childhood Vaccines Unfortunately, herd immunity doesn't work that way, public-health experts say. Community-level protection—otherwise known as herd immunity—isn’t possible unless upwards of 90% of people are immunized. Experts agree that balancing personal choice and the scientific reality of herd immunity is critical for keeping outbreaks under control.
