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Writing in Politico, the extended family of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged the public to ignore his anti-vaccination stance and vaccinate his children.
Kennedy's sister, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor, her brother Joseph P. Kennedy III, a former congressman from Massachusetts, and her niece, Maeve Kennedy McKean, executive director of Global Health Initiatives Georgetown University, have teamed up to issue an appeal to the public, beginning with the following handwriting: "We love Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but he is part of a disinformation campaign that has consequences." heartbreaking and deadly. "
The trio continues: "Americans have every right to be alarmed by the measles epidemic in the pockets of our country that have unusually high rates of unvaccinated citizens, especially children. At present, officials in 22 states are struggling with a resurgence of the disease, reported to have been eliminated in the United States in 2000. With more than 700 cases already reported and signs that Other outbreaks would occur, 2019 will likely see the most registered measles cases in decades. "
The authors note that measles is not the only disease to spread due to the lack of vaccination, pointing out that Maine health officials acknowledged in March the existence of 41 new pertussis, double the same period in 2018.
After citing the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting a 300% increase in measles cases compared to last year, with more than 110,000 deaths each year, they write bluntly: "Most diseases avoidable are unvaccinated children. vaccination, have difficulty accessing vaccines or children were too young to receive the vaccines. "
The authors say of RFK Jr .: "He has helped spread dangerous misinformation on social media and is complicit in sowing mistrust of the science behind vaccines … his work and that of others against vaccine have heartbreaking consequences. "
They go on to say: "The fact is that vaccination prevents between 2 and 3 million deaths a year and could save an extra 1.5 million lives each year through expanded immunization coverage," according to WHO. . Smallpox, which has touched humanity for thousands of years, has been eradicated by means of vaccines. Due to vaccination, no cases of polio have been reported in the United States since 1979. "
After citing their family's efforts in favor of vaccinations, the authors conclude:
Those who delay or refuse vaccinations, or encourage others to do so, expose and expose others, especially children, to risks. It is in our interest to ensure that vaccines reach all of the world's children with safe, effective and affordable vaccines. Everyone needs to share the benefits and safety of vaccines and advocate for the respect and trust of the institutions that make them possible. Otherwise, one of the greatest achievements of public health could be further eroded.
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