Reality: The decline in vaccination rates in Samoa began years before Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s 2019 visit and was influenced by various factors, including a tragic vaccine mix-up in 2018. The measles outbreak in Samoa was part of a global surge in cases, and attributing it solely to Kennedy ignores the broader context and complexities involved.
Mother Jones, one Democrat funded tabloid source that blames Kennedy for the measles cases, concluded that Kennedy must be to blame because he visited the island a few months before the outbreak. However, we know that correlation does not equal causation. In this article we dive into the specifics of the events that unfolded.
Declining Vaccination Rates in Samoa Since 2014
The decline in vaccination rates in Samoa is a complex issue that began long before Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s visit to the island nation in 2019. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, Samoa experienced a significant dip in vaccination coverage since 2014. By 2017, vaccination rates had fallen to 67% for one-year-old children. This decline was further exacerbated in 2018 after a tragic incident that shook public confidence in vaccines.
The Tragic Vaccine Mix-Up in 2018
In July 2018, two infants in Samoa tragically died within minutes of being administered the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. The deaths were caused by a nurse mistakenly mixing the vaccine with a muscle relaxant. This human error led to widespread fear and mistrust of vaccines among the Samoan population. In response, the Samoan government paused the MMR vaccination program for nearly a year, leading to a further drop in vaccination rates.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s 2019 Visit to Samoa
In the summer of 2019, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to Samoa to attend the 57th Independence Celebrations. By this time, the MMR vaccination rates in Samoa were already low, a situation that had developed over several years and was compounded by the 2018 vaccine mix-up. Despite claims that Kennedy’s visit contributed to the decline in vaccination rates, the evidence shows that the downward trend began well before his arrival.
Kennedy’s visit was later used as a focal point in efforts to blame him for the subsequent measles outbreak, but this ignores the broader context of declining vaccination rates and other factors of the spread of measles.
The Global Measles Outbreak in 2019
The measles outbreak in Samoa was part of a much larger global trend. In 2019, measles cases worldwide surged to 869,770 the highest number in over two decades, according to WHO data. Notably, while the outbreak in Samoa has been unfairly attributed to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., similar outbreaks occurred around the world without any connection to him. The attempt to single out Kennedy as the cause of the outbreak in Samoa is not only misleading but also ignores the broader global context.
Misleading Statistics on Vaccination Status
Statistics that claim the majority of measles patients are unvaccinated can be misleading. In many cases, individuals are categorized as unvaccinated if their vaccination status is unknown or uncertain. Furthermore, vaccinated individuals who contract measles may be underreported or not tested due to fears of false positives, leading to an overrepresentation of unvaccinated cases in official statistics as previously reported.
Kennedy Responds to The Allegations
When talking with Brian Cohen, RFK Jr says:
“The best evidence shows that the deaths that occurred from measles that year were a result of a defective vaccination of the people who died were people who got the vaccine while they had measles, which you should never do. In Tonga which is next door, which also had a measles outbreak and where they were not given the vaccine, there were no deaths.
Of course the vaccine cartel and the public health cartel that likes a propaganda on this issue points this and say oh ‘the deaths occurred because of a because lower vaccination rate.’ But there is no data that shows that. There’s no paper that shows that. There’s no science that shows that. There’s just propaganda.
The best science indicates that the actual reasons for those deaths in Samoa were a defective vaccine that was brought in from Australia and then was pulled when the Public Health authorities realized that it was killing people.”
Kennedy’s Advocacy for Better Nutrition and Vaccine Choice
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long advocated for better nutrition, recognizing its critical role in building immunity and preventing disease. NIH research supports this, stating, “Vitamin A deficiency is a recognized risk factor for severe measles infections.” Additionally, studies have shown that more than half of the sampled population in Samoa were not meeting the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calcium (59.0%), 44.6% were not meeting the RDA for potassium, and intake of vitamin A and E was inadequate among 25.9% and 25.6% of the population, respectively.
These nutritional deficiencies were contributing factors to the severity of the measles outbreak. Kennedy’s platform is not about taking vaccines away from those who want them; rather, he advocates for informed choice and improved safety standards. His focus on nutrition aligns with his broader commitment to enhancing public health through holistic approaches.
Conclusion
The claim that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is responsible for the measles outbreak in Samoa and the deaths of 83 people is a gross oversimplification of a complex situation. The decline in vaccination rates in Samoa began years before his visit and was influenced by a range of factors, including the 2018 vaccine mix-up. The outbreak in Samoa was part of a global surge in measles cases in 2019, a phenomenon not unique to Samoa or related to Kennedy’s actions. It is essential to approach public health issues with a nuanced understanding, recognizing the multifactorial causes of outbreaks and deaths rather than resorting to simplistic blame.
