When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appointed as America's Secretary of Health and Human Services, many observers were left wondering whether a lawyer with a two-decade history of questioning the safety of childhood vaccinations could reassess his stance based on available scientific evidence. Recent interviews and an op-ed published by Kennedy on Fox News have led numerous experts to conclude that a change in his views is unlikely.
One of Kennedy's notable claims is that the measles vaccine causes deaths annually. However, researchers have strongly refuted this assertion, indicating that it may only be true for a very small number of individuals with compromised immune systems who are not advised to receive the vaccine. In a March 11 interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News, Kennedy stated, "It does cause deaths every year. It causes — it causes all the illnesses that measles itself causes, encephalitis and blindness, et cetera. And so people ought to be able to make that choice for themselves."
Contrary to Kennedy's claims, the Infectious Disease Society of America has confirmed that there have been "no deaths related to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in healthy individuals." Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, it has been administered as a combination shot with mumps and rubella to reduce the number of necessary injections for children.
Dr. Daniel Griffin, the chief of the division of infectious diseases at Island Infectious Disease Medical in New York, echoed the conclusion that the MMR vaccine has never been shown to cause death in immunocompetent individuals. He cautioned that if an active vaccine were administered to someone with a compromised immune system—against medical guidelines—it could lead to severe consequences, including death.
Measles itself remains a serious health threat. Prior to the widespread use of the measles vaccine, it was almost guaranteed that children would contract the virus before age 15, resulting in approximately three to four million cases each year. While most children experienced no complications, about 1 in 1,000 would succumb to the disease, amounting to an estimated 400 to 500 deaths annually. A 2024 study published in The Lancet estimated that the measles vaccine has prevented approximately 93.7 million deaths globally between 1974 and 2024—equivalent to a quarter of the U.S. population.
Despite being one of the most effective vaccines available, the measles vaccine does not guarantee protection for every vaccinated individual. Studies suggest that around 1 in 20 people may not achieve fully protective antibody levels. This raises concerns, especially as declining vaccination rates can pose a greater risk to vulnerable groups, including those with compromised immune systems and young children who are not yet eligible for vaccination.
All medical products, including the measles vaccine, carry certain risks. The vaccine contains a weakened version of the virus, which is developed through a process that minimizes its ability to cause serious illness while still inducing immunity. Common side effects include fever and, in rare instances, seizures due to fever, occurring in about 3 in 10,000 vaccinations. Clotting issues may arise in roughly 3 in 100,000 cases, while allergic reactions are estimated to occur in about 3 in a million vaccinations. Other adverse effects are even rarer.
Although Kennedy has pointed out that the vaccine can cause encephalitis, the incidence of such cases is incredibly low. Reports of patients developing optic neuritis—a condition that can lead to blindness—are also sparse, and most patients recover their sight over time or with treatment. Overall, the risk of serious complications from the vaccine is minimal.
Kennedy's claim regarding vaccine-related deaths likely stems from reports submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This government-run database allows individuals and healthcare providers to report adverse events they suspect are linked to vaccinations. Although VAERS serves as an essential early warning system for vaccine side effects, it has limitations. Reports can be submitted even when causation is unclear, leading to potential misinterpretations of data. During heightened media coverage of vaccines, reports of side effects often increase, regardless of the actual number of vaccinations administered.
In the mid-1990s, the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) conducted a thorough review of VAERS reports. The findings concluded that, aside from extremely rare allergic reactions and blood clot disorders, there was no established link between the MMR vaccine and deaths.
While individuals should have the autonomy to make informed decisions regarding their children's vaccinations, it is critical that these decisions are based on accurate and scientifically validated information. As Kennedy himself noted, understanding the risks and benefits of vaccines is essential for making informed choices. With the potential for serious consequences associated with measles, opting for vaccination remains a prudent choice for public health.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment regarding Kennedy’s statements.
