Feb 26 First measles death reported in West Texas outbreak that’s infected more than 120 people By Devi Shastri, Associated Press It's the first since the outbreak began late last month. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center spokesperson Melissa Whitfield confirmed the death Wednesday. Continue reading
Feb 25 Watch 7:00 West Texas measles outbreak spreads amid vaccine hesitancy in some communities By William Brangham, Azhar Merchant There are now more than 120 confirmed measles cases linked to an outbreak in western Texas, the largest such outbreak the state has seen in over 30 years. It's raising questions about vaccine hesitancy in some communities and the growing… Continue watching
Feb 18 West Texas measles outbreak grows to 58 cases By Devi Shastri, Associated Press The measles outbreak in rural West Texas has grown to 58 cases as of Tuesday. Eight people in neighboring eastern New Mexico also have been diagnosed with the highly contagious disease. Continue reading
Jan 31 As ethics questions swirl, RFK Jr. says he’ll stop collecting HPV vaccine lawsuit fees if confirmed By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press Facing intense scrutiny from senators over his potential profit from vaccine lawsuits while serving as the nation's health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that if he is confirmed he will not collect fees from litigation against the drugmakers of a cervical… Continue reading
Jan 29 Watch 4:58 RFK Jr. faces questions over vaccine skepticism, Medicaid reform at confirmation hearing By Lisa Desjardins, Winston Wilde On Capitol Hill, one of President Trump’s most consequential and controversial nominees made his case for the top job at the Department of Health and Human Services. In his first of two hearings, former environmental lawyer and presidential candidate Robert… Continue watching
Jan 29 Watch 4:28 Vaccine specialist argues RFK Jr. would make them less accessible By Geoff Bennett, Karina Cuevas Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. faced tough questions over vaccine skepticism and Medicaid reform at his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center… Continue watching
Jan 29 WATCH: ‘Frankly, you frighten people,’ Sen. Whitehouse tells RFK Jr. in confirmation hearing By Erica R. Hendry Whitehouse asked Kennedy to make "indisputably clear that you support mandatory vaccinations against diseases where that will keep people safe."… Continue reading
Jan 27 State lawmakers see new opportunities to pass vaccine exemptions after Trump’s return By Susan Haigh, Devi Shastri, Associated Press Vaccination bills are popping up in more than 15 states as lawmakers aim to potentially resurrect or create new religious exemptions from immunization mandates, establish state-level vaccine injury databases or dictate what providers must tell patients about the shots. Continue reading
Dec 15 McConnell says Trump’s nominees should ‘steer clear’ of undermining polio vaccine By Moriah Balingit, Associated Press The statement by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a child, appeared to be directed at Trump’s pick for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after a report that one of his advisers filed a petition to revoke approval for the… Continue reading
Dec 10 Watch 7:59 The controversial changes RFK Jr. could make to vaccine policy as HHS chief By William Brangham, Frank Carlson More than 75 Nobel laureates signed a letter asking the U.S. Senate not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, citing his opposition to vaccines among their concerns. William Brangham takes a deeper look at… Continue watching