Kennedy Endorses Vaccines as Measles Deaths Shock Texas
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his past vaccine skepticism, has made his strongest endorsement yet of the measles vaccine as a deadly outbreak claims the lives of two unvaccinated children in rural Texas. The nationwide case count has surged to 712 confirmed infections across 25 states, with Texas accounting for 541 cases in what experts call one of the worst measles outbreaks in decades.
“The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,” Kennedy stated, marking a significant pivot from his previous messaging. His declaration comes as the country faces a rising public health emergency that has hospitalized dozens and spread far beyond the initial outbreak zone, according to The Hill.
The secretary’s evolved stance represents a dramatic reconciliation of his controversial past with his current responsibility as America’s top health official during a crisis that shows little sign of slowing.
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From Skeptic to Secretary: Kennedy’s Transformation
Kennedy attended the funeral of eight-year-old Daisy Hildebrand, the second unvaccinated child to die from measles in Seminole, Texas, within two months. The health secretary joined dozens of Mennonite community members and local officials to mourn the child’s passing in what South Plains Public Health Director Zach Holbrooks described as a somber gathering focused on “their healing.”
“My intention was to come down here quietly to console the families and to be with the community in their moment of grief,” Kennedy said, as reported by BBC News.
The secretary’s shifting stance reflects the political and public health challenges he faces. Jeff Hutt, Kennedy’s former national field director, suggested the secretary is trying to “cover the middle ground” with statements that are “politically adequate” while also maintaining some skeptical positions on vaccines.
“In covering the middle ground, I’m not necessarily sure he was able to reassure folks that he had a handle on [measles], or that he was able to reassure folks that he was sticking to his guns,” Hutt noted.
Measles vaccination works.
— Neil Stone (@DrNeilStone) April 8, 2025
It just does. pic.twitter.com/vMckpEfJad
Ground Zero: Inside Seminole’s Outbreak
In Seminole, Texas—population 7,000—a digital billboard warning about measles dangers stands in stark contrast to the community’s apparent indifference. The outbreak has spread rapidly among Mennonites, a religious community with vaccination rates as low as 82%, far below the 95% needed for herd immunity.
Terri Burke, director of Texas vaccine advocacy group the Immunization Partnership, noted that at least 118,000 kindergarteners in Texas are exempt from one or more vaccines, mostly in rural areas. Parents can obtain waivers for various reasons, including religious objections.
Despite the gravity of the situation, many residents continue normal activities. An 18-year-old server named Savannah Knelsen told Newsweek that neither she nor many family members are vaccinated. Even after several contracted measles—including one relative with a 104.5°F fever who avoided hospitalization—she remains unconvinced about vaccination.
Beyond Texas: A National Emergency Unfolds
While Texas bears the brunt of the outbreak, other states report growing case numbers. New Mexico has confirmed 58 cases, with six infections in people who had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Kansas reported 32 cases, half affecting children between 5 and 17 years old. Six cases have emerged in Indiana’s Allen County.
Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in New York, warned, “This is one of the worst outbreaks we’ve seen in the United States in years. The confirmed case numbers are almost certainly an underestimate of the actual number of cases.”
The CDC reports that 97% of confirmed measles cases were in unvaccinated or unknown-vaccinated individuals. Children under five represent about 32% of national cases, with 20% requiring hospitalization. Among children and teens ages 5 to 19, the hospitalization rate is 7%.
Budget Battles Cripple Response
Local health departments face an additional challenge: fighting the outbreak while preparing for potential budget cuts. The Trump administration’s proposed $11.4 billion reduction in public health grants—temporarily blocked by a judge—threatens critical resources.
Gordon Mattimoe, director of Andrews County Health Department, cannot hire a new immunization nurse due to the potential loss of $250,000 in funding. “I don’t think they have the funds,” he said regarding state assistance.
The Texas Department of Health Services could lose as much as $550 million in grant funding. While it has provided staff, vaccines, testing, and other support to local departments, spokesman Chris Van Deusen acknowledged they would likely need additional resources.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated it had deployed “necessary” resources from the CDC and maintained “close, constant communication with local and state health officials.”
A Glimmer of Progress Amid Struggle
Despite the challenges, some vaccination progress has emerged. Since January, Seminole has vaccinated 103 adults and 143 children against measles. In Lubbock, Texas, health officials now recommend vaccinating children as young as six months instead of the usual one year, hoping to protect more infants during the outbreak.
Katherine Wells, Lubbock’s public health director, believes vaccinations might increase following the latest death. The city experienced an outbreak at a daycare among children too young to be fully vaccinated—a situation she hopes will improve with earlier immunizations.
In Andrews County, a Mennonite doctor has gained community members’ trust and encouraged vaccinations. “Those trusted messengers in those communities—I think [they’re] very important,” Mattimoe said.
As health officials work to contain the spreading virus, they warn the outbreak could continue for months in under-vaccinated areas. “Until they get that natural immunity, it’ll just keep running its course,” Mattimoe cautioned.
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