Rep. Ryan MacKenzie (R-PA) blamed measles outbreaks in the U.S. on immigrants, who ”are bringing diseases into our country.”
In a CNN town hall with swing district lawmakers on Thursday, host Jake Tapper asked MacKenzie if he has confidence in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, noting “there are a lot of public health officials, regardless of party, who have serious concerns” about Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaxxer, leading the government’s response to measles outbreaks.
MacKenzie admitted that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe but argued that it is a personal choice to get vaccinated. He then pivoted to blame illegal immigrants for measles outbreaks across the country.
“First of all, many of these instances that are coming into our country are from illegal immigrants who have crossed the border with no checks, no actual health records, and they are bringing these diseases into our country,” he said. “There is a reason why measles has started to spread in our country after decades of being almost eradicated, as you pointed out. And so I think we need to recognize that point.”
The measles outbreak began in rural Gaines County, Texas with very low vaccination rates. The diseases has since spread across 22 states. There are 642 confirmed cases nationally, but the vast majority —504 cases — have been reported in Texas.
Three people have died so far from complications related to measles including two elementary school-aged children. All three victims were not vaccinated against measles.
The CDC currently recommends people receive two MMR vaccine doses, the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective.
