Lawmakers Press RFK Jr. After Measles Deaths Linked to Vaccine Gaps
A surge in measles cases across the U.S. is putting new focus on one state emerging as a key outbreak center, as federal health leadership faces scrutiny.
The spike comes amid what officials describe as one of the worst measles resurgences in decades, raising concerns about how quickly the virus is spreading and why.
According to CDC-linked data, more than 1,100 measles cases have been reported nationwide in 2026, spanning at least 28 states and multiple active outbreaks.
Texas previously served as a major epicenter, with a single outbreak nearing 500 cases and spreading into neighboring states, while South Carolina has also reported large clusters.
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At the same time, California officials say 95% of recent infections involved people who were unvaccinated or whose status was unknown.
The situation is complicated by political tension surrounding Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose past vaccine skepticism has drawn criticism during recent congressional hearings.
Kennedy acknowledged during testimony that vaccination could have prevented at least one child’s death tied to a recent outbreak.
The broader concern is whether declining vaccination rates and mixed public messaging are contributing to a pattern that could threaten the U.S. status of having eliminated measles.
Lawmakers and health officials are expected to continue pressing for clearer guidance as outbreaks evolve and new case clusters emerge.
For now, the trajectory of the outbreak remains uncertain as case counts continue to rise.
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