Fact Check: RFK Jr. Claims US Leads in Controlling Measles Outbreaks

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee on April 17, 2026, asserting that the United States is limiting the spread of measles more effectively than any other country under his leadership. This claim was made during his first congressional appearance in months, where he also defended a proposed budget reduction exceeding 12% for his department.

Kennedy stated that measles outbreaks are a global phenomenon and emphasized that the U.S. Has performed better than any other nation in controlling the disease’s spread. His remarks came amid ongoing public health concerns about declining vaccination rates and rising measles cases in parts of the country, including an expanding outbreak in Texas.

However, fact-checking efforts by the Associated Press and other health-focused outlets have found that Kennedy’s assertion does not align with current epidemiological data. According to verified reports, measles is surging globally, with several countries experiencing larger outbreaks in 2025 and 2026 than the United States. Notably, neighboring nations such as Mexico and Canada have reported higher case counts, and various world regions outside the Americas have recorded more infections than the U.S. During the same period.

An ongoing measles outbreak in Bangladesh has resulted in over 100 child fatalities, underscoring the severity of the situation in certain regions. Despite these international trends, U.S. Public health experts have expressed concern that the country is not improving in its measles prevention efforts. They cite declining vaccination rates as a key factor weakening community immunity and increasing vulnerability to outbreaks.

Experts have criticized Kennedy’s approach to the measles resurgence, noting that he has not forcefully advocated for increased vaccination. Instead, he has expressed skepticism about vaccine safety and promoted untested alternatives. This stance contrasts with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which affirms that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and highly effective.

The CDC states that two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, with protection likely lasting a lifetime. Even a single dose provides 93% effectiveness. While no vaccine is entirely risk-free, the agency emphasizes that the vast majority of recipients experience only mild, temporary side effects, and the risks associated with vaccination are far lower than those posed by contracting measles itself.

Public health officials maintain that widespread vaccination remains the most reliable strategy to prevent measles transmission, particularly to protect infants who are too young to be vaccinated. They recommend ensuring high immunization coverage across communities to establish herd immunity and reduce the risk of outbreaks.

Kennedy’s testimony occurred amid continued scrutiny of his public comments on vaccines. Earlier in March 2026, he appeared on a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, where he made several claims about the measles vaccine that were later identified as unsupported or misleading by fact-checkers. These included assertions about waning immunity and the vaccine causing deaths or mimicking the full illness, which health authorities have stated lack scientific basis.

As measles cases continue to emerge in multiple countries, global health agencies stress the importance of maintaining strong vaccination programs and countering misinformation. The World Health Organization and other international bodies have warned that declining vaccine confidence in some regions threatens progress toward measles elimination goals.

In the United States, state and local health departments are monitoring measles activity closely, particularly in areas with lower vaccination coverage. While national case numbers remain lower than in some international hotspots, officials caution that sustained declines in immunization could reverse recent gains in disease control.