RFK Jr.’s Samoan Visit and the Measles Outbreak: A Case Study in the Dangers of Misinformation
A new report titled "Misinformation Kills: RFK Jr.’s Deadly Visit To Samoa," released by Protect Our Care and featuring a foreword by Hawaii Governor Josh Green, scrutinizes the role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2019 Samoan measles outbreak. The report alleges that Kennedy’s visit to Samoa in June 2019, during which he disseminated anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, significantly contributed to the outbreak that claimed 83 lives, predominantly children under five. The report serves as a stark warning against Kennedy’s potential appointment as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), highlighting the dire consequences his anti-science stance could have on public health in the United States.
The report details a timeline of events, beginning in 2018 with the tragic deaths of two Samoan children following MMR vaccinations. These deaths, caused by nurses mistakenly mixing the vaccine with a muscle relaxant instead of water, were exploited by Kennedy’s organization, Children’s Health Defense, to fuel anti-vaccine sentiment. Despite the subsequent revelation of the true cause of death, the organization failed to correct the misinformation it had spread. This incident coincided with a decline in Samoa’s vaccination rates, creating a fertile ground for the measles outbreak.
Kennedy’s visit to Samoa in June 2019, orchestrated and funded by Children’s Health Defense and a Samoan anti-vaccine activist, amplified the existing anti-vaccine rhetoric. Meeting with government officials and aligning himself with local anti-vaccine activists, Kennedy further solidified the doubts surrounding vaccination, exacerbating the vulnerability of the Samoan population. This visit, the report argues, played a crucial role in hindering vaccination efforts and creating a climate of mistrust towards public health initiatives.
The measles outbreak began in September 2019, escalating into a national emergency by November. The Samoan government responded by closing schools, restricting children’s participation in public events, and mandating vaccinations. However, the anti-vaccine movement, emboldened by Kennedy’s visit and fueled by misinformation, actively resisted these measures. The report accuses Kennedy-aligned activists of deploying misinformation campaigns and inflammatory rhetoric to undermine the government’s attempts to control the outbreak. This resistance, the report alleges, directly contributed to the tragic toll of the outbreak.
By January 2020, the outbreak had resulted in 5,707 cases and 83 deaths, with 87% of the fatalities being children under five. The report underscores the devastating impact of the outbreak, emphasizing the vulnerability of young children to measles. It directly links the spread of misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiment to the tragic loss of life, arguing that Kennedy’s actions played a significant role in the unfolding tragedy.
The report draws a parallel between the events in Samoa and the potential consequences of Kennedy’s appointment as HHS Secretary. It warns that his long-standing anti-vaccine stance and rejection of scientific consensus could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases and undermine public health initiatives in the United States. Quotes from Governor Green and Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach reinforce this concern, emphasizing the potential for catastrophic consequences if Kennedy is given authority over the nation’s health care system. The report concludes by urging the public to recognize the dangers posed by Kennedy’s views and to advocate for evidence-based public health policies.
This report, with its detailed account of the Samoan measles outbreak and its linkage to Kennedy’s activism, serves as a crucial reminder of the devastating real-world consequences of misinformation. It underscores the importance of evidence-based decision-making in public health and serves as a stark warning against allowing anti-science rhetoric to influence policy decisions. The report aims to inform the public and policymakers about the potential dangers of Kennedy’s appointment to HHS, emphasizing the need for leadership grounded in science and committed to protecting the health and well-being of all Americans. The report’s central message – that misinformation kills – is a powerful call for vigilance against the spread of false information and advocacy for responsible, evidence-based public health policies.