The United States has recorded its highest number of measles infections in 35 years, prompting the country’s Health Secretary, Robert Kennedy, to publicly urge parents to vaccinate their children against the highly contagious disease.
Kennedy made the appeal during an interview on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday, saying parents should ensure their children receive the measles vaccine as infections continue to rise across the country.
“Parents should get their children vaccinated for measles. A measles vaccine is effective. It stops measles in about 97 per cent of the cases. People should get vaccinated,” he said.
His remarks came after the US officially recorded 2,371 confirmed measles cases this year, surpassing the 2,289 cases reported throughout 2025. The latest figure marks the highest annual number of infections since 1991.
The sharp increase means the US has recorded more measles cases over the past two years than during the rest of the 21st century combined, raising concerns among public health experts that the country could lose its measles elimination status, which it has maintained since 2000.
Kennedy’s endorsement of measles vaccination marks a notable departure from his longstanding criticism of vaccines.
Before becoming Health Secretary under President Donald Trump, Kennedy was one of the country’s most prominent vaccine sceptics, repeatedly questioning the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and amplifying misinformation about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
After assuming office, he continued to describe vaccination as a personal choice while making inaccurate claims about declining vaccine effectiveness.
During the interview, he also encouraged Americans to receive the combined MMR vaccine, the primary protection against measles.
(Premium Times)