What a nut job…
During his first attempt at leading the United States, Trump suggested that we use bleach to ward off Covid-19. As ridiculous as that sounded then, we now have someone else suggesting ridiculous cures, especially if it means he can continue to denigrate vaccines. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., claims that vitamin A is now a cure for measles. If Kennedy wants to give his children Vitamin A when there is a perfectly good, proven vaccine, that’s on him. Don’t want a vaccine? Don’t get one, but don’t try to stop others from getting them, especially if your only alternative is nonsense.
The measles vaccine has been in use in the U.S. since 1963. Prior to the vaccine, measles was considered an endemic disease, which means it was consistently present in the population. Measles could ultimately lead to death if swelling on the brain occurred or the patient developed pneumonia, both of which were possibilities. The creation and widespread use of the measles vaccine put those fears to rest. By 1981, measles cases had dropped 80%. Even though measles has been mostly eradicated, it can reappear in populations that are unvaccinated. Just this past February, a child died of measles in Texas because that child was not vaccinated. This was the first reported measles fatality in almost a decade. Now, we have an anti-vaccine nut heading up HHS, which could ultimately lead to the reemergence of this and other diseases.
Just as Trump touted the use of bleach to combat Covid-19, Kennedy is now touting the use of vitamin A to battle measles. While vitamin A is sometimes used to treat children with measles—if they have vitamin deficiencies or suffer from malnutrition—it does not prevent the infection. Doctors and researchers have shared that claiming vitamin A as some sort of miracle drug is nothing more than an anti-vaccine talking point. Kennedy wrote an op-ed for Faux News in which he acknowledged that the MMR vaccine does protect against measles, but instead of suggesting that people investigate it, he wrote, “the decision to vaccinate is a personal one.” Yes, it is, so why is he trying to stop people from getting life-saving vaccines? Why does he think he knows more than medical professionals? In addition to Vitamin A, Kennedy suggested, “ … a well-balanced diet remains the best defense against most chronic and infectious illnesses.” Vaccines work better than a “well-balanced diet.”
According to Insider, Kennedy’s “cure” for measles did not come across well with public health workers. The treatments suggested by Kennedy are frequently used by vaccine skeptics, including Children’s Health Defense, which Kennedy formerly chaired. Perhaps Kennedy has gotten some information confused. Vitamin A is used, as stated earlier, for those suffering from a deficiency of the vitamin. It is not, however, a “cure.” It addresses vitamin deficiency, nothing more.
The MMR vaccine has been in use for 62 years and has all but eradicated measles. Why in the world would anyone suggest ignoring scientific evidence? Only a nut could come to such a conclusion, and unfortunately, that nut oversees our health care. Heaven help us.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years