U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visited West Texas on Sunday following the tragic passing of a second unvaccinated elementary school child due to complications from measles. Kennedy, ahead of his upcoming “Make America Healthy Again” tour in the southwestern U.S., expressed his condolences to the families affected by the loss of these two young children in Gaines County. He mentioned that he was collaborating with Texas health authorities to manage the measles outbreak, particularly centered in Seminole, which has resulted in nearly 500 cases in Texas and spread to neighboring areas like New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mexico.
The latest child, who passed away from measles-related pulmonary failure, was not reported to have any preexisting health issues, according to the Texas State Department of State Health Services. The child was receiving medical care at UMC Health System in Lubbock. This unfortunate event marks the third measles-related death linked to the ongoing outbreak, with previous casualties being another elementary school child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, both unvaccinated.
During his first official visit to the region as health secretary, Kennedy met with the families affected by these tragedies and noted his interactions with the Mennonite community where the virus has been spreading predominantly. Kennedy, previously known for his anti-vaccine stance, emphasized the importance of vaccination as a crucial preventive measure to combat the spread of measles in his recent statement.
Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) teams had been reassigned, Kennedy clarified that no official announcement was made by the agency. The CDC acknowledged the recent death when questioned on Sunday, despite not including it in their previous reports. The number of measles cases in Texas and nationwide has been increasing, prompting calls from health officials for stronger messaging on the importance of vaccination.
Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy urged for clearer communication from health authorities regarding the necessity of vaccination to prevent further tragedies. He has also requested Kennedy to testify before the health committee, demonstrating the growing concern over the measles outbreak.
While the CDC spokesperson highlighted the effectiveness of the measles vaccine, the decision to get vaccinated was described as a personal choice, emphasizing the importance of discussing the risks and benefits with a healthcare provider before making a decision.
A spokesperson emphasized that misinformation regarding vaccines was impeding efforts to effectively address measles prevention and treatment. Claims advocating for the use of vitamin A supplements, endorsed by Kennedy and proponents of holistic medicine, were causing concern among doctors who warned of potential dangers if not administered under proper medical supervision. At Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, where the first measles-related death occurred, doctors had treated a small number of children for liver issues caused by excessive vitamin A intake. Dr. Lara Johnson, the hospital’s chief medical officer, noted that these cases were identified through routine lab tests on unvaccinated children with measles who had self-administered vitamin A as a treatment. Dr. Peter Marks, the former vaccine chief of the FDA, attributed responsibility for the death to Kennedy and his team, stressing the importance of vaccination in preventing measles-related fatalities. Marks had raised concerns with U.S. senators about the need for a more aggressive response to the outbreak to prevent further deaths. Experts and local health officials anticipated that the outbreak could persist for several months to a year, particularly in West Texas where most cases were reported in unvaccinated individuals under the age of 17. Some worried that the ongoing outbreaks of measles, coupled with declining vaccination rates among children in the U.S., could jeopardize the country’s status of having eradicated the disease. Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus, poses a significant risk as it can linger in the air for extended periods. Vaccination is crucial, with the first dose recommended for children aged 12 to 15 months and the second for those between 4 to 6 years old.
