Kennedy spreads anti-vaccine misinformation after two measles deaths in Pennsylvania
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted anti-vaccine rhetoric and misinformation on social media after two people died from measles in Pennsylvania. The deaths are the first measles-linked fatalities in the state in 35 years and the first US measles deaths reported in 2026. Kennedy alleged the deaths may have been fabricated, even as the state's outbreak reached nearly 400 confirmed cases.
Key Facts
- Two people in Pennsylvania died from measles, the first measles-linked fatalities in the state in 35 years.
- The US has tallied nearly 2,800 measles cases so far in 2026, the highest total since 1991.
- One of the deaths occurred in a newborn baby from Lancaster County.
- Kennedy posted a link to The HighWire, an anti-vaccine site run by Del Bigtree, and blamed the Biden administration for declining vaccination rates.
- Kennedy alleged on his official X account that the deaths 'may even have been altogether fabricated by one of the Governor's hopeful staffers.'
Measles Outbreak
The deaths occurred amid an explosive outbreak in Pennsylvania that has reached nearly 400 confirmed cases. Pennsylvania health officials initially reported the deaths were in unvaccinated people from Lancaster County. The US has tallied nearly 2,800 measles cases so far this year, the highest total since 1991.
Kennedy's Response
On Tuesday, Kennedy took to his personal X account to rail against the MMR vaccine and posted a link to The HighWire, a hardline anti-vaccine site run by Del Bigtree. Kennedy's post assailed Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and blamed national declines in vaccination rates on the Biden administration. On Wednesday, Kennedy turned to his official X account as US health secretary to allege that 'the deaths may even have been altogether fabricated by one of the Governor's hopeful staffers.' He cited a tweet from Josh Parsons, a Republican commissioner of Lancaster County, who claimed there had been 'zero measles deaths' reported in the county.
1 source
Kennedy spreads anti-vaccine misinformation after two measles deaths in Pennsylvania
