Robert F Kennedy Jr has dismissed any suggestion that his vaccine skepticism has contributed to measles outbreaks across the U.S., instead placing the blame on immigrants.
“It has nothing to do with me,” the Health Secretary told lawmakers at a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, in which he was questioned on his department’s budget for 2027.
“If you’re worried about polio and tuberculosis, you should look at the immigration policies in this country. ’Cause the place where it’s occurring are the place[s] where the immigrants are going, because they’re not vaccinated.”
In a statement shared withThe Independent, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said: “This is taken out of context completely.
“Current outbreaks are largely concentrated in close-knit, under-vaccinated communities with prevalent international travel that raises the risk of measles importation. Measles is a global challenge, and the United States continues to have a lower overall measles burden than Canada (which in November 2025 lost its measles elimination status), Mexico, and much of Europe.”
Since assuming the position of Health Secretary, Kennedy has enacted several changes that are more in line with his own views on vaccines.
In June 2025, he fired all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with vaccine skeptics and individuals who have criticized mainstream medical guidance.
He has also removed the Covid-19 vaccine from the recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
During his appearance in front of the subcommittee, Kennedy denied personal responsibility for measles outbreaks and defended the administration’s response to the surge in cases within the last year, saying that low vaccination rates predated his time in office.
There have been more than 1,700 measles cases in the U.S. so far this year, following major outbreaks in Texas in 2025. America is now running the risk of losing its measles elimination status.
Kennedy also refused to commit to supporting the pro-vaccine recommendations of Erica Schwartz, Donald Trump’s nominee to head up the CDC.
“If Dr. Schwartz is confirmed, will you commit on the record today to implement whatever vaccine guidance she issues without interference?” Rep. Raul Ruiz of California asked him.
“I’m not going to make that kind of commitment,” Kennedy replied.
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