Health
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro clash over vaccine rhetoric following measles deaths
A federal offer of assistance turned into a heated exchange over vaccine misinformation after two unvaccinated people died from measles-associated causes in Pennsylvania.
The short version
- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. engaged in a heated phone call following two measles-associated deaths in the state.
- The two deceased individuals in Pennsylvania were unvaccinated.
- Shapiro criticized Kennedy's rhetoric and the administration's stance on vaccines, arguing that spreading misinformation has negative, real-life consequences.
Key facts
- Pennsylvania health authorities announced that two unvaccinated people died from measles-associated causes.[STAT]
- U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to offer federal assistance following the deaths.[STAT]
- Governor Shapiro stated during a press conference that the phone call became heated and that he was blunt with Kennedy.[STAT]
- Shapiro challenged Kennedy's public statements on vaccines, asserting that rhetoric and misinformation from the federal administration are negatively affecting communities.[STAT]