Anti-Vax RFK Jr. Spews Callous Insult to Child Victims of Measles

Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters/CDC Robert F.

Kennedy Jr. has come under fire for appearing to complain that children dying with measles get more attention than people he says are harmed by vaccines.

As the death toll from the worst measles outbreak in decades rises, Donald Trump’s Health Secretary also told a room full of vaccine skeptics that they had a “steadfast friend” in Washington.

“In our country we care about rare illnesses and deaths.

We care about every child who dies from measles.

They get headlines,” Kennedy said.

“I’d ask you to care about children who are dying or suffering or being injured by vaccine injuries.” The comments were made as Kennedy headlined a conference of the Children’s Health Defense, which he founded and led for years before joining the Trump administration.

During his tenure at the organization, Kennedy sued vaccine manufacturers and challenged state vaccine laws as he built the foundations for his unsuccessful presidential campaign.

But his appearance coincides with the nation’s largest measles outbreak in 35 years, with four measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania this summer alone.

The victims included children who were too young to be vaccinated, as well as unvaccinated people.

The latest death, which took place this week, involved an 18-year-old who died of measles complications relating to a severe neurological condition that causes inflammation in the brain.

Shaughnessy Naughton, president of 314 Action, hit out at Kennedy for his comments and called on him to resign.

“This week, RFK Jr. had a choice: use his megaphone to combat misinformation and save lives, or return to his roots as a promoter of vaccine lies,” said Naughton, whose group works to recruit and train scientist candidates for public office.

“With a deadly measles outbreak killing people in Pennsylvania, the best thing Kennedy can do for Americans is step aside.” Kennedy used his speech to recap his agenda over the past year—from flipping the food pyramid and changing hospital meals to scrutinizing chemical additives.