RFK Jr.'s Shocking Influence: Vaccination Rates Plummet 30% While Measles Surges—What’s Next?

Nearly 250 years ago, George Washington established America’s first mass immunization mandate, relying on the science of his time to safeguard public health. The world has changed dramatically since then, particularly with advancements in vaccination capabilities, yet the challenges of public health remain all too relevant today.

During Washington’s era, smallpox was a significant threat, having contributed to the failure of the Continental Army’s invasion of Canada. Thousands of soldiers contracted the disease, prompting Washington to express his fears for his troops, who had just celebrated victories at Trenton and Princeton. He wrote, “Necessity not only authorizes but seems to require the measure, for should the disorder infect the Army, in the natural way, and rage with its usual virulence, we should have more to dread from it, than from the sword of the enemy.” This perspective shaped his commitment to inoculation, even in its rudimentary form.

In the 1770s, vaccination methods were crude; they involved using scabs or pus from infected individuals, introducing them into scratches or wounds. Although this process, known as variolation, often led to fevers and other symptoms, it was a necessary gamble. At least 1% of those inoculated died, but Washington understood the stakes: without this tough choice, the Continental Army—and potentially the future of America—might have collapsed.

Today, we have incredibly safe and effective vaccines for a range of diseases that plagued our ancestors, including influenza, hepatitis, chickenpox, polio, rubella, and measles. Remarkably, the smallpox virus that once instilled such dread has been eradicated. The quality and availability of modern vaccines represent a triumph of science and public health, yet we are witnessing a troubling trend: vaccination rates for measles in the U.S. are declining, and outbreaks are on the rise.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal a concerning pattern. Vaccination rates for measles have dipped below the critical threshold of 95% in states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. In 2000, health officials declared measles eliminated in the U.S., but now the country is facing its highest rates in decades. Last year, the consequences were tragic, with two children in Texas losing their lives to this entirely preventable disease, and a recent outbreak in South Carolina has sickened nearly 1,000 individuals, predominantly children.

According to the CDC, over 90% of current measles infections occur in people who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. This is particularly alarming, as this group constitutes less than 10% of the overall population—a stark illustration of how effective vaccines can be when a community achieves herd immunity. With declining vaccination rates, however, the risks to vulnerable populations, including those with existing health issues who cannot be vaccinated, are growing.

Parents cite various reasons for their refusal to vaccinate their children. Some reference religious beliefs, while others express concerns about the vaccination schedule. A notable number cite the widely debunked theory linking vaccines to autism. This misinformation is exacerbated by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has positioned himself as a prominent vaccine skeptic, despite lacking formal medical training. Under his leadership, the CDC has reduced the number of recommended vaccinations for children, and groups allied with him are actively campaigning to overturn state vaccine mandates.

This wave of skepticism and misinformation can only flourish in a society that has reaped the benefits of vaccination. In 1900, around 30% of all U.S. deaths occurred in children under five, with an infant mortality rate of 100 out of every 1,000 live births by 1915. As late as 1952, a polio outbreak claimed more than 3,000 lives. The return of these diseases, due to rising vaccine refusal rates, poses a grave threat to public health.

As health officials urged calm in response to potential exposure at Philadelphia International Airport earlier this month, these events serve as stark reminders of the consequences of faltering vaccination rates. The potential for rising infections and unnecessary deaths among children looms larger as more parents opt out of vaccinations.

Rather than reversing the progress made in public health since Washington’s time, we must learn from his example. Vaccination is not just a choice; it is a necessity for the well-being of our children and communities. In a world that has witnessed the eradication of diseases once thought insurmountable, we must remain vigilant and committed to protecting public health through vaccination.