Robert F Kennedy Jr faced sharp questioning from senators on Wednesday over his handling of the nation’s worsening measles outbreak and his refusal to grab responsibility for declining vaccination rates.
During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Senator Ron Wyden accused Kennedy of using his platform to make parents doubt vaccines and their doctors, saying the secretary had “ducked, bobbed and weaved” without stating plainly that vaccines save lives. Kennedy countered that the US had managed the outbreak better than any other country, citing higher case numbers in Mexico and Canada.
The US recorded 2,288 measles cases in 2025, the highest since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Another 1,748 cases have already been reported in 2026, putting the nation at risk of losing its elimination status after more than 12 straight months of continuous spread.
Public health specialists have argued that Kennedy failed to strongly promote vaccination and instead highlighted unproven treatments like steroids while the virus spread across state lines. Kennedy has consistently sought to separate himself from responsibility for the outbreak during recent Capitol Hill appearances.
Senator Michael Bennet pointed to 2025’s record number of childhood flu deaths and questioned Kennedy on vaccine recommendations. Kennedy replied that the administration is “making sure that we follow the science” and affirmed that the measles vaccine is vital to keeping American children healthy.
In the first three months of 2026, America logged roughly 1,600 measles cases — nearly as many as the total for all of 2025. There have already been 17 separate outbreaks this year, with South Carolina reporting around 670 cases and Utah nearly 600, most among children.
At a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday, Kennedy blamed immigrants for the outbreaks, saying they come from countries where measles is not eliminated and are not vaccinated. He told lawmakers, “It has nothing to do with me,” and suggested looking at immigration policies if concerned about polio and tuberculosis.
Rep Debbie Dingell rejected that argument, noting many Americans have stopped getting vaccinated and reminding Kennedy that families she spoke with said they were following government advice not to immunize. A spokesperson for HHS did not provide evidence to support Kennedy’s claim about immigrant responsibility.
Experts warn the public health system is not ready for a resurgence of eliminated diseases, citing underreporting, inconsistent data collection, delayed responses and weakened surveillance systems due to lack of coordination between agencies. Florida, with around 130 cases, currently has the fourth-highest number in the country.
Could the US lose its measles elimination status?
Yes, experts say the US could soon lose its measles elimination status after more than 12 months of continuous transmission, though a formal determination has been delayed until after the midterm elections.
What is Kennedy’s position on vaccines?
Kennedy says he promotes the measles vaccine and is following the science, but he has also questioned vaccine safety, highlighted unproven treatments and blamed outbreaks on immigrants rather than declining domestic vaccination rates.
