The Claim:
In an interview with Dana Bash, RFK Jr. suggested that measles outbreaks happen mostly in religious groups and that the MMR vaccine wears off enough to help cause outbreaks. He also said COVID-19 vaccines don’t help children.
The Facts:
- Measles spreads very easily, but two vaccine doses offer strong protection.
- Most measles cases occur in people who are not vaccinated or whose vaccine status is unknown.
- Evidence shows that COVID vaccines can also help protect children.
Measles spreads very easily. It’s one of the most contagious diseases we know. You can be ten stories above someone with measles and still catch it.
If the vaccine waned, or stopped working over time, vaccinated people would get measles as often as unvaccinated people. That is not what we are seeing.
One dose of the measles vaccine is about 93% effective. Two doses are about 97% effective. The number of measles cases matches this. About 93% of measles cases are in people who are not vaccinated or whose vaccine status is unknown. About 3% had one MMR shot, and only 4% had two shots.
RFK Jr. has also said that COVID vaccines do not help children. However, many studies show that they do provide benefits.
Disclaimer
Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved too since this was originally posted. Be sure to check out our most recent posts and browse the latest Just the Facts Topics for the latest.
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