Arabic version: كينيدي يحث على التطعيم ضد الحصبة مع ارتفاع الحالات في الولايات المتحدة

According to ABC News, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has urged parents to vaccinate their children against measles as the United States experiences its worst outbreak in 35 years.

In a CNN interview on Sunday, local time, Mr Kennedy said: “Parents should get their children vaccinated for measles.” He said the vaccine was effective and stopped measles in about 97 per cent of cases, adding that people should get vaccinated.

More than 2,370 measles cases have been confirmed in the US this year, surpassing last year’s multi-decade high of 2,289 cases. Major outbreaks have occurred in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona, with smaller clusters reported in other states.

The US eliminated local measles spread in 2000 through high vaccination rates. National measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage among kindergarteners fell to 92.5 per cent in the 2024-25 school year, from 95.2 per cent in 2019-20, below the 95 per cent coverage level needed to prevent outbreaks.

International health officials are due to meet in November to assess whether the US and Mexico have lost their measles-free status. Officials and researchers also say official case totals may be incomplete, as not everyone seeks treatment or is tested.