RFK Jr. shares vaccine misinformation following two measles deaths
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has posted vaccine myths and misinformation on social media following two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania. One of the deceased was a newborn.
Health advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been posting vaccine myths and misinformation on social media in the wake of two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania. This marks a resurgence of his previous stance as a fervent opponent of immunizations.
The deaths are the first measles-linked fatalities in Pennsylvania in 35 years and the first reported in the US in 2026. They occurred amid an outbreak in the state with nearly 400 confirmed cases, and a nationwide surge in the vaccine-preventable disease. The US has recorded nearly 2,800 cases so far this year, the highest total since 1991.
Pennsylvania health officials initially stated the deaths involved unvaccinated individuals from Lancaster County. However, news broke Wednesday that one of the deceased was a newborn baby. This news was quickly intertwined with misinformation Kennedy was spreading online.
Kennedy has previously been a vocal critic of vaccines, and his claims often conflict with public health guidance. Measles cases have been increasing globally, and health organizations emphasize the importance of vaccination in controlling outbreaks.