Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial testimony during his confirmation hearing to become Secretary of Health and Human Services has stirred significant backlash, particularly from Hawaii's Governor Josh Green. During the hearing on January 30, 2025, Kennedy denied claims linking him to the deadly 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa, which claimed the lives of 83 individuals, most of them children.
Governor Green, who was deeply involved during the outbreak, asserted on CNN after the hearing, "He’s a liar, and it’s bulls---," referencing Kennedy's views on vaccines and misinformation. Green dispatched medical teams to Samoa as part of relief efforts during the outbreak, which was exacerbated by significant drops in vaccination rates following misinformation campaigns surrounding vaccines, including those propagated by Kennedy.
At the center of this crisis was the troubling history of vaccine mistrust spurred by tragic events earlier in 2018 when two babies died after receiving improperly prepared measles vaccines. The incident scared many parents from vaccinating their children, compounded by Kennedy's influence as one of the prominent figures opposing vaccines.
During the hearing, Kennedy maintained, "Vaccination rates were already below any previous level. I went there, nothing to do with vaccines. I went there to introduce a medical informatics system." His assertion of having no influence on the outbreak drew immediate criticism and disbelief, particularly from Green who highlighted the urgency of the vaccination mission they undertook afterward.
Green described the heartbreaking scenes he encountered during the outbreak: "What we saw was unbelievable," he noted. "I put my stethoscope on her, and she was gone," recalling the loss of lives he witnessed, including infants who died after being infected with measles.
Further complicate the issue, RFK Jr. also stated, "Most of those people did not have measles. We don’t know what was killing them," sparking outrage from numerous public health officials, including Professor Dr. Alec Ekeroma from Samoa, who dismissed Kennedy's claims as false. Ekeroma stated, "It was obvious these people died from measles," emphasizing the extensive evidence from medical professionals involved during the outbreak.
The situation escalated as the governor voiced his frustrations about Kennedy's denial of responsibility. "He went there and he met with the anti-vax leader... who was spreading all of this misinformation," Green said. That leader, Edwin Tamasese, was later arrested for promoting anti-vaccine sentiments during the crisis.
The tragic outcomes of the 2019 measles outbreak serve as grim reminders of the dangers posed by vaccine misinformation. Reports indicate nearly 5,000 additional infections occurred as health officials struggled to counteract the damaged public trust, leading the Samoan government to enforce mandatory vaccinations. Consequently, the vaccination rates climbed back up to 80% following this harsh lesson.
Throughout the hearing, senators also interjected with their views on Kennedy's history of anti-vaccine rhetoric. The political discourse surrounding his nomination has raised alarms about the potential consequences for public health. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., confronted Kennedy about his previous statements dismissing the seriousness of measles and questioned his commitment to vaccination.
Continuing to face scrutiny, Kennedy's claims appeared increasingly discordant with the data on measles vaccination and the outbreak's realities. His assertions about the benign nature of measles contrasted sharply with the tragic events characterized by overwhelming casualties and increasing health risks.
The aftermath of the Samoa outbreak extends beyond its direct consequences, as it has stirred public debate over vaccine acceptance. Green, reflecting on the Samoa experience, noted its potential learning impact for managing medical crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of trust and credible information sources.
Indeed, the shocking experience for Samoans resonates broadly, especially among U.S. communities like those populated by Samoan Americans. Rep. Jake Fitisemanu of Utah remarked on the significance of sound health messaging, saying, "That’s great when there’s good information, credible information... But it can be very detrimental when it’s in the opposite direction."
Green remains adamant about the potential harm noted by Kennedy's influence. He expressed concern for the legacy of misinformation propagated by figures like RFK Jr., underscoring the importance of strong, scientifically backed public health policies. "The real tragedy is, he learned the exact opposite — he learned you could run a natural experiment and let disease spread," Green remarked, signaling the potential dangers of allowing anti-vaccine sentiments to gain traction.
With Kennedy's future as health secretary now hanging onto contentious debates, the ramifications of his confirmation could ripple through public health policy, affecting how misinformation on vaccinations is tackled moving forward.
The 2019 Samoa outbreak marks not only a tragedy but also serves as a cautionary tale against the rise of vaccine skepticism, which if left unchecked could lead to repeat occurrences of similar outbreaks and continued loss of life.