WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Samoa’s top health official strongly refuted statements made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his candidacy for U.S. health secretary, calling them “completely false.” Kennedy had stated during recent U.S. Senate hearings that some individuals who died in Samoa’s 2019 measles outbreak did not actually have the disease, claiming, “We don’t know what was killing them.” However, Samoa’s Director-General of Health, Dr. Alec Ekeroma, dismissed Kennedy’s remarks as unfounded.
Kennedy faced questioning from U.S. senators regarding his 2019 visit to Samoa, with accusations that he had downplayed his involvement in the epidemic. The measles outbreak had a devastating impact on the small Pacific island nation, resulting in the deaths of 83 individuals, mainly children under the age of 5. The low vaccination rates in Samoa were attributed to past public health mismanagement and the tragic deaths of two infants due to improperly prepared vaccines in 2018. This led to concerns about the safety of the MMR immunization until the error was identified.
Following the suspension of vaccinations for 10 months leading up to the outbreak, Kennedy visited Samoa during this period. His trip was reportedly arranged by a local anti-vaccine influencer. While Kennedy denied that his visit promoted anti-vaccine sentiments, Dr. Ekeroma pointed out that supporters of the anti-vaccine movement from New Zealand had gathered with Kennedy, indicating his influence extended beyond Samoa.
Kennedy’s claim that most of the deceased individuals in Samoa did not have measles upon testing tissue samples in New Zealand was contradicted by Dr. Ekeroma, who emphasized that medical professionals from various countries had traveled to Samoa to treat measles patients. Only one autopsy was conducted during the outbreak, and no post-mortem tissue samples were sent abroad, as diagnosing measles is typically straightforward.
Kennedy asserted that his trip to Samoa was unrelated to vaccines, stating that he was there to introduce a medical informatics system. However, Dr. Ekeroma disputed this, citing social media posts showing Kennedy with anti-vaccine advocates during his visit. These advocates allegedly provided advice to Kennedy on alternative treatments being offered to Samoan families during the outbreak.
Kennedy’s communication with Samoa’s prime minister at the time, as described in a blog post, raised further questions about his involvement in the situation. The prime minister reportedly expressed interest in observing health outcomes in the absence of vaccines, leading to speculation about Kennedy’s influence on vaccination strategies in Samoa.
The text could be rewritten as follows:
During a hearing, Kennedy suggested that the deaths in Samoa may have been linked to a measles vaccine, a claim he reiterated in written responses to senators’ questions. He encouraged the Samoan leader to investigate the outbreak’s source through a specific laboratory. Despite Kennedy’s visit, he clarified that his remarks were unrelated to vaccine uptake or the 2019 epidemic. However, his presence emboldened anti-vaccine groups in Samoa, leading to misinformation spreading through social media locally and internationally.
According to Samoan nurse Moelagi Leilani Jackson, anti-vaccine activists became more vocal following Kennedy’s visit, feeling supported by his presence. Despite this, Ekeroma noted that the nation’s leaders did not heed Kennedy’s suggestions. Subsequently, a vaccination campaign was reinstated in 2019, and measles vaccines are now mandatory for Samoan children.
If Kennedy were to be confirmed as the top U.S. health official, Ekeroma expressed concern about the potential impact on the Pacific region. He warned that Kennedy’s control over U.S. funding for vaccination programs could hinder access to affordable vaccines for countries like Samoa. Ekeroma emphasized the need for regional discussions to counter Kennedy’s influence if he assumes the position.
This report includes contributions from Amanda Seitz in Washington.
