RFK Jr. praises measles response in Texas and the U.S., calling it a “model for the rest of the world” during a press conference on April 9, 2025. As the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pointed to the handling of a deadly measles outbreak in Texas—now at over 600 cases and three deaths—as a success story, contrasting it with Europe’s 127,350 cases in 2024. But experts say this comparison is shaky at best, and his response has sparked alarm among public health officials. Is the U.S. truly a shining example, or is RFK Jr.’s praise built on shaky ground? Let’s dig into the facts and unravel this controversial claim.

Table of Contents

1. RFK Jr. Praises Measles Response: What He Said
2. The Texas Measles Outbreak: A Grim Snapshot
3. Europe’s Measles Crisis: A Fair Comparison?
4. Why Experts Are Skeptical
5. Vaccination: The Missing Piece
6. Conclusion: A Model or a Misstep?

1. RFK Jr. Praises Measles Response: What He Said

RFK Jr. praises measles response efforts during a press tour in the American Southwest, spotlighting Texas as a triumph. Speaking on April 9, he claimed the U.S. strategy—deploying CDC teams late and emphasizing personal choice over vaccine mandates—has “substantially diminished” the outbreak’s growth rate. He compared this to Europe, citing 127,000 cases and 38 deaths there in 2024, per World Health Organization (WHO) data. “What we’re doing here is a model for the rest of the world,” he told reporters, suggesting Europe’s higher numbers prove U.S. superiority.

But this bold statement has raised eyebrows. Public health experts argue RFK Jr.’s framing glosses over critical flaws—like delayed action and underreported cases—while leaning on a misleading comparison. Let’s break it down.

2. The Texas Measles Outbreak: A Grim Snapshot

The Texas measles outbreak began in January 2025 in rural Gaines County, spreading to 21 counties and neighboring states like New Mexico and Oklahoma. By April 9, Texas reported 505 confirmed cases, with a CNN tally pegging the U.S. total at 659. Three deaths—two children and one adult—mark the first U.S. measles fatalities since 2015. Most cases involve unvaccinated individuals, particularly in communities with low immunization rates, like the Mennonite population where the outbreak ignited.

Despite RFK Jr.’s claim of a flattening curve, experts like Dr. Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins warn cases are “undercounted,” with local reports suggesting it could take a year to contain. Hospitals in Lubbock and Seminole are stretched thin, and the virus’s spread into urban areas looms as a threat. This isn’t a contained success—it’s a simmering crisis.

3. Europe’s Measles Crisis: A Fair Comparison?

RFK Jr. praises measles response by contrasting the U.S. with Europe’s 127,350 cases—a figure driven by outbreaks in Romania (30,692 cases) and Kazakhstan (28,147 cases). Europe’s 38 deaths dwarf the U.S.’s three, but is this apples-to-apples? Not quite. The WHO’s European region spans 53 countries, including less-developed nations with weaker health systems, unlike the U.S.’s unified infrastructure.

Dr. John Brownstein, speaking to ABC News, notes that comparing the U.S. to Western European nations like Germany or France—where vaccination rates often exceed 90%—shows a tighter race. Texas’s outbreak, with over 500 cases, rivals some EU hotspots, and its vaccination coverage lags behind leaders like Portugal (95%+). Europe’s numbers are skewed by outliers; the U.S.’s concentrated outbreak isn’t inherently “better.”

4. Why Experts Are Skeptical

Public health officials aren’t buying RFK Jr.’s praise. For one, the CDC’s deployment to Texas came weeks after the outbreak ballooned—too late, critics say. Funding cuts to local health departments, including $11 billion clawed back by HHS, have also crippled vaccination clinics near the outbreak’s epicenter. Dr. Craig Spencer told ABC News that sustained case growth contradicts claims of a slowdown.

Then there’s RFK Jr.’s mixed messaging. While he recently urged vaccination on CBS News, calling it “the best way to prevent measles,” he’s also touted unproven treatments like vitamin A and cod liver oil—echoing his anti-vaccine past. Experts like Dr. Sue Kressly of the American Academy of Pediatrics warn this creates a “false equivalency,” confusing parents and undermining trust in the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective.

5. Vaccination: The Missing Piece

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, yet RFK Jr.’s response has leaned heavily on “personal choice” rather than a full-throated vaccine push. The Texas outbreak thrives in pockets where MMR uptake dips below the 95% herd immunity threshold—like Gaines County, where only 82% of kindergartners are vaccinated. Europe’s struggles stem from similar hesitancy, but nations like Hungary and Malta, with near-universal coverage, report minimal cases.

The U.S. has the tools—vaccine access, robust health systems—but RFK Jr.’s reluctance to mandate or strongly promote shots has left gaps. As Dr. Peter Hotez told The Guardian, emphasizing vitamins over vaccines “puts children at serious risk.” A true “model” would prioritize prevention, not reaction.

6. Conclusion: A Model or a Misstep?

RFK Jr. praises measles response in Texas as exemplary, but the reality is murkier. With cases climbing, deaths mounting, and experts questioning the data, the U.S. isn’t outpacing Europe—it’s grappling with the same vaccine hesitancy woes, just on a smaller scale. Creating the best environment to stop measles means doubling down on immunization, not dancing around it with half-measures.

For parents and communities, the takeaway is clear: get vaccinated. The MMR shot is your best defense. For more on measles prevention, visit CDC.gov. RFK Jr.’s “model” might sound good, but the numbers—and the science—tell a different story.