Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and local coroners confirmed two more measles-associated deaths, bringing the total number of deaths from measles-related complications to four. Pennsylvania is experiencing the worst measles outbreak in the country with 693 confirmed cases across 38 counties. In response, 314 Action President Shaughnessy Naughton released the following statement:
“This is the cost of confusion,” said 314 Action President Shaughnessy Naughton. “Four Pennsylvanians have died from measles and nearly 700 cases have now been reported statewide. An outbreak of this scale doesn’t increase gradually, it grows exponentially—that’s what we are seeing in Pennsylvania, now the epicenter of the worst measles outbreak in the country.”
“This is a disease we know how to prevent, as we have for decades before RFK Jr. was in charge. Instead of disputing the facts and lying to the American people about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, Americans deserve a health secretary who will use this moment to provide clear, evidence-based public health guidance and educate communities—not spread more doubt and grandstand in front of MAHA acolytes at anti-vax conferences.”
“RFK Jr. has a record of making outbreaks even worse—this is the same playbook that he used in Samoa, which led to the tragic deaths of 83 people. We can’t let that happen in America. The only way to stop this deadly disease is with the MMR vaccine but we can’t do that if RFK Jr. keeps running his mouth. Our message to Secretary Kennedy now is: shut up or get out of the way. If he can’t do that, he should resign or be fired immediately before more people die.”
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Ahead of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing last year, 314 Action launched a pressure campaign warning Americans about the dangers RFK Jr. posed to public health, including a series of digital ads highlighting RFK Jr.’s role in Samoa. Since taking office, 314 Action led calls for his resignation and over 200,000 Americans have signed onto 314 Action’s petition, calling on Congress to launch an investigation into his dangerous tenure and immediate removal from office.