Health Chief Condemns RFK Jr.'s Measles Claims as False

Samoa's top health official on Monday rebutted comments made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. concerning the 2019 measles epidemic in Samoa. During a US Senate hearing as he aims to become US health secretary, Kennedy suggested that the cause of some of the 83 deaths—mostly children under five—during the outbreak was uncertain. Dr. Alec Ekeroma, Samoa's Director-General of Health, dismissed Kennedy's remarks. Ekeroma said: "It's a total fabrication." The outbreak, which claimed 83 lives in a country with a population of approximately 200,000, occurred after a 10-month suspension of vaccinations prompted by fears following the erroneous preparation of vaccines for two infants in 2018.

Kennedy's 2019 visit to Samoa, organized by a local anti-vaccine influencer, reportedly contributed to anti-vaccine sentiment, although Kennedy denied his involvement had such impacts. During the Senate hearings, Kennedy claimed most of those who died had not contracted measles, based on tissue samples; however, Ekeroma clarified that no post-mortem samples were sent abroad, and living patient blood samples confirmed the presence of the same measles strain as in New Zealand at the time.

Ekeroma disputed Kennedy's assertion that his trip to Samoa was unrelated to vaccines, citing social media posts of anti-vaccine advocates who met with him during his visit. A blog post from Kennedy's former nonprofit, Children's Health Defense, described advice shared by Kennedy's associates on alternative treatments during the outbreak. While Kennedy iterated that his words did not influence the epidemic or vaccination rates, Ekeroma and nurse Moelagi Leilani Jackson observed heightened anti-vaccine activity following Kennedy's presence. Jackson said: "I feel like they felt they had the support of Kennedy."

Looking forward, Ekeroma expressed concern over Kennedy's potential appointment due to his influence over US vaccination funding and its implications for access to affordable vaccines in small nations like Samoa. Ekeroma emphasized that Kennedy's influence was not heeded by Samoan leaders as a robust vaccination campaign resumed in late 2019, subsequently mandating measles vaccinations for children. Ekeroma said: "If he's going to be appointed, then we will have to actually discuss around the Pacific as to how we're going to try to neutralize his influence in the region." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)