Rewritten Version:
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Urges Measles Vaccination Following U.S. Outbreak
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., long known for his vaccine skepticism, said Tuesday that he now encourages people to get vaccinated against measles. His comments come in the wake of a U.S. outbreak that has claimed at least three lives—the first measles-related deaths in the country in a decade.
“We encourage people to get the measles vaccine,” Kennedy said in an interview with CBS News while promoting the Trump administration’s agenda in Arizona.
Kennedy had previously stopped short of explicitly endorsing the vaccine, though he did post on X (formerly Twitter) that “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.” That post sparked backlash from anti-vaccine advocates, with some accusing Kennedy of abandoning his prior stance. “This is so disappointing... Who has you compromised?!” one user wrote, while another labeled him a “SELL-OUT.”
Still, others welcomed the shift. Dr. Neil Stone, an infectious disease clinician-scientist, responded: “Words I never thought I would hear Robert F. Kennedy Jr. say. He’s absolutely 100% correct, and I’m relieved to hear him say it.”
Despite the statement, some in the pro-vaccine community remain skeptical, citing Kennedy’s long-standing opposition to vaccines. “RFK is too little, too late,” one user wrote. “Two kids have already died.”
The outbreak and Kennedy’s comments have reignited national debate over vaccine advocacy and public health leadership amid rising concerns about preventable diseases.
Expanded Rewritten Version:
RFK Jr. Now Supports Measles Vaccine, But Vows to Target Fluoride in Tap Water
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., long a controversial figure for his vaccine skepticism, now says he supports the measles vaccine—even as he sets his sights on another public health issue: fluoride in tap water.
Kennedy, who previously linked the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to autism—a claim thoroughly debunked by the medical community—told CBS News in his first television interview since joining the Trump administration in February that he is "all for the vaccine."
“We encourage people to get the measles vaccine,” Kennedy said during the interview in Arizona, where he was promoting the administration’s agenda.
The comments mark a notable shift for Kennedy, who earlier posted on social media that the MMR vaccine is “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.” His endorsement drew sharp criticism from anti-vaccine followers, some of whom accused him of selling out. Still, medical experts applauded the statement. “Words I never thought I would hear Robert F. Kennedy Jr. say,” said infectious disease clinician Dr. Neil Stone. “He’s absolutely 100% correct.”
Despite the praise, many in the pro-vaccine community remain wary. “RFK is too little, too late,” one commenter wrote. “Two kids have already died.”
Now, Kennedy is turning his focus to another controversial topic: fluoride in the public water supply. He has signaled plans to challenge its widespread use, citing health concerns—though dentists and public health officials warn that removing fluoride could have disastrous consequences for dental health, particularly in children.
Kennedy's evolving stance on vaccines and new focus on fluoride signal a complex tenure ahead at HHS, one likely to stir debate across both scientific and political lines.
Rewritten Version:
RFK Jr. Backs Measles Vaccine But Opposes Mandates, Promises ‘Good Science’ for Public Decision-Making
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. clarified his stance on the measles vaccine in a recent interview with CBS News, stating that while he supports vaccination, he opposes government mandates.
“My position is people should get the vaccine,” Kennedy told Dr. Jon LaPook, the network's chief medical correspondent. “But the government should not be mandating this. What I’m going to do is make sure we have good science so people can make an informed choice.”
Kennedy’s comments come amid a deadly measles outbreak in Texas, where two unvaccinated children recently died. These are the first measles-related fatalities in the U.S. since 2015, according to the CDC. The agency continues to emphasize that the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is safe and highly effective—and that there is no credible evidence linking it to autism.
Despite Kennedy’s past claims about vaccine risks, his recent public support for the MMR vaccine marks a notable shift. However, it has also stirred backlash from his base, particularly from those aligned with his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) platform. Some have expressed disappointment over what they see as a departure from his earlier positions.
What to Know:
What is the MMR Vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. The CDC recommends two doses for children and notes that a combined MMRV vaccine is also available, which includes protection against chickenpox.
What’s the Latest on the Measles Outbreak?
The recent outbreak in Texas has already resulted in two child deaths, both of whom were unvaccinated. Health officials warn the disease is highly contagious, and vaccination remains the best defense against its spread.
As Kennedy continues to walk a fine line between personal freedom and public health, it remains to be seen whether his supporters will rally behind his evolving position—or question the direction of his leadership.