Texas measles outbreak could become public health disaster: Tom Frieden

Former CDC Director Warns Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of Potential Public Health Disaster Amid Measles Outbreak

In the midst of a deadly measles outbreak, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Tom Frieden is sounding the alarm on the dangers of wavering on vaccines and cutting federal programs. Speaking at the STAT Breakthrough Summit East in New York, Frieden, who served as CDC director for eight years under President Obama and is now president and CEO of the nonprofit Resolve to Save Lives, cautioned Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the risks of letting down our guard.

Frieden’s comments come at a critical time, as the Trump administration recently withdrew its nominee to lead the CDC, former Congressman Dave Weldon, due to concerns about his views on vaccines. Weldon had questioned the safety of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, echoing some of Kennedy’s theories. Additionally, the CDC is facing funding and staffing cuts, pauses to public meetings of its expert advisers, and increased scrutiny from Kennedy.

Kennedy, since becoming Health and Human Services secretary, has emphasized that measles vaccines are readily accessible but also framed vaccination as a personal choice. He has downplayed the severity of measles outbreaks, despite the current outbreak resulting in the first measles fatalities in a decade. Kennedy has also suggested the use of vitamin A to treat sick patients, despite limited evidence supporting its efficacy in treating measles.

The current measles outbreak has seen over 300 reported cases in Texas and New Mexico, with at least two deaths, including that of an unvaccinated child. A Texas public health official has cautioned that it could take up to a year to contain the outbreak. Frieden highlighted the importance of vaccination, recounting the devastating impact of measles on children and the global toll of the disease.

Addressing Kennedy’s claims of conflicts of interest among federal advisory panel members, Frieden dismissed them as “absolute nonsense,” citing a 2009 audit that revealed minor errors on disclosure forms. He warned against attempts to discredit basic facts and emphasized the importance of trust in public health experts.

While acknowledging missteps by the CDC during the coronavirus pandemic, Frieden stressed the need to address public frustrations and rising skepticism. He acknowledged errors in the CDC’s response to COVID-19 but emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and improving public health communication.

As the measles outbreak continues to pose a threat to public health, Frieden’s warnings serve as a reminder of the critical importance of vaccination and maintaining vigilance against infectious diseases. It is crucial for health officials and policymakers to prioritize public health measures and support vaccination programs to prevent future public health disasters.