Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asserted on Fox News’ “Saturday in America” town hall that Pennsylvania has not provided details on two deaths he described as “so‑called” measles fatalities. The claim was made while host Kayleigh McEnany fielded questions from the audience.
Town hall statements
A member of the audience referenced the two reported measles deaths in the Keystone State and asked Kennedy whether he believed the measles or MMR vaccinations should be mandatory. Kennedy responded that Governor Josh Shapiro had applied a “Covid playbook” in announcing the deaths, which he said were the first measles fatalities in the state in 35 years.
“We’re still trying to get information about the measles deaths,” Kennedy said. He added that he had spoken with the county coroner or commissioner in Lancaster County, who told him there were no measles deaths. Kennedy described the governor’s press conference as highly politicized, alleging finger‑pointing, politicizing and fear‑mongering, and noted that the governor had not identified any child who died from measles in Lancaster County.
He said the county health department had repeatedly requested the information, but it had not been supplied. Kennedy also highlighted what he called the United States’ success in controlling measles, stating that the country has done better than any other nation. He linked the current global measles surge to reduced vaccination rates during COVID‑19 lockdowns, noting that worldwide MMR coverage fell from 97 % to 92.3 %.
Fact‑checking and response
McEnany countered Kennedy’s claim by pointing out that the Pennsylvania Department of Health had announced the deaths. Later, Kennedy reiterated that there is “no reason that anybody in America should die of measles in this day and age,” calling any such death “malpractice” and affirming that the MMR vaccine works.
Nationally, the United States had declared measles eradicated in 2000, but the disease has resurged, with more than 2,300 cases reported this year, according to the source material.
Social‑media dispute
Following the town hall, Kennedy and Governor Shapiro exchanged messages on the platform X (formerly Twitter). Kennedy accused Shapiro of falsely alleging that he was discrediting the MMR vaccine. Shapiro responded by urging Kennedy to stop spreading misinformation, writing that he had needed the nation’s top health expert to address the outbreak but instead received “a tirade — talking about fetal tissue and blaming the previous Administration.” Shapiro added that Kennedy suggested it would be better to revert to “natural measles,” and described the exchange as a “rabbit hole of conspiracy theories and false claims.”
The exchange, captured in the town hall and on social media, underscores ongoing tensions between vaccine skeptics and public‑health officials amid a broader global measles resurgence.
Mitchell Landsberg is a Senior Technology Correspondent at News Raise. He covers consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, software developments, and digital privacy trends.
