Among US adults, 23% say RFK Jr recommends that kids should get the measles vaccine, 29% say he does not recommend it, and 48% aren't sure.
One study found fairly high rates of flu, mumps, and hepatitis A, and the other found that only 28% of adults have been vaccinated against tetanus and diphtheria.
A call to develop separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines to replace the combined MMR shot is not backed by evidence.
For example, while overall coverage was 82% in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, school-based rates were as low as 46%.
A further 5% drop in coverage could substantially increase outbreak magnitudes in Texas, while restricting non–medical exemptions could increase US uptake.
The committee removes a long-standing ACIP recommendation that said parents may choose the MMRV vaccine for kids 12 to 47 months old.
Of the 2,066 counties, 1,614 (78%) showed a decline in coverage of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
The 19 low- and middle-income countries experienced 28,000 congenital rubella syndrome cases—78% of the world's cases—in 2023 alone.
The false belief is undermining efforts to address the country's rising measles cases through vaccination.
Bangladesh eliminated visceral leishmaniasis, Maldives interrupted leprosy transmission, and South Korea eliminated rubella.
