Anti-Vax Doctor Praised by RFK Jr. Pushes Wild Theory About Measles
Wired reported Thursday that Mikki Willis, a notorious Covid-19 conspiracy theorist, said the virus is being used to strategically target Mennonite communities, a group at the center of the recent measles outbreak in Texas that killed two unvaccinated children. Willis has long been a supporter of Kennedy, whose anti-vaccination group Children's Health Defense helped fund Willis's conspiracy documentary Plandemic.
'I'm not going to be careful by calling it a virus,' Willis said in a measles webinar hosted last week by his supplement company Rebel Lion. 'I'm going to call it what it is, and that is a bioweapon, and my belief after interviewing these families is that this has been manipulated and targeted towards a community that is a threat because of their natural way of living.'
To be clear, measles is not a bioweapon, it's a disease that's been around since the ninth century.
Rebel Lion is selling a measles prevention protocol online for hundreds of dollars that includes a supplement called Fierce Immunity Capsules, which costs $50 a bottle, Wired reported. Rebel Lion claims the capsule ingredients were manufactured with AI technology.
The U.S. has seen more than 700 measles cases this year, 561 of which occurred in Texas. Amidst a flurry of vaccine misinformation from anti-vax influencers and Kennedy himself, cases among unvaccinated children are skyrocketing. Some anti-vax influencers claim measles poses no threat to human health; others have gone so far as to claim the measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine is fatal.
Since being confirmed as the secretary of health and human services, Kennedy has spread doubt about the vaccine's safety, instead advising people to take Vitamin A, which is toxic in high quantities. Then, earlier this month, he said the MMR vaccine was the most effective way to stop the measles spread, a long-awaited but confusing admission from the lifelong vaccine skeptic.
'The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,' Kennedy wrote on X.
To add to the confusion, hours later, he praised anti-vax doctor Richard Bartlett, whom he called an 'extraordinary healer' for providing unproven measles treatments such as the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin.
Bartlett participated in Rebel Lion's webinar last week, and touted the Fierce Immunity capsules as a legitimate defense to the deadly disease, snatching the opportunity to capitalize on the country's public health crisis and the fear that comes with it.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
US pediatricians' new COVID-19 shot recommendations differ from CDC advice
NEW YORK — For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics is substantially diverging from U.S. government vaccine recommendations. The group's new COVID-19 recommendations — released Tuesday — come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the new Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing. This isn't going to help, acknowledged Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious diseases committee. 'It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them,' he added. The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots also are advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, the AAP said. That differs from guidance established under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn't recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians. Children ages 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and it was important that recommendations continue to emphasize the need for them to get vaccinated, said Campbell, a University of Maryland infectious diseases expert. Vaccinations also are recommended for older children who have chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease, the AAP said. In a statement, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said 'the AAP is undermining national immunization policymaking with baseless political attacks.' He accused the group of putting commercial interests ahead of public health, noting that vaccine manufacturers have been donors to the AAP's Friends of Children Fund. The fund is currently paying for projects on a range of topics, including health equity and prevention of injuries and deaths from firearms. The 95-year-old Itasca, Illinois-based organization has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it synced its advice with recommendations made by the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been a few small differences between AAP and CDC recommendations since then. For example, the AAP has advised that children get HPV vaccinations starting at age 9; the CDC says that's OK but has emphasized vaccinations at ages 11 and 12. But in 30 years, this is the first time the recommendations have differed 'in a significant or substantial way,' Campbell said. Until recently, the CDC — following recommendations by infectious disease experts — has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. But in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a 'should' recommendation. The idea that healthy older kids may be able to skip COVID-19 boosters has been brewing for some time among public health experts. As the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, experts have increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older — who are among those most as risk for death and hospitalization. A CDC expert panel in June was set to make recommendations about the fall shots. Among the options the panel was considering was whether suggest shots for high-risk groups but still giving lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated. But Kennedy bypassed the group, and also decided to dismiss the 17-member panel and appoint his own, smaller panel, that included vaccine skeptics. Kennedy also later excluded the AAP, the American Medical Association and other top medical organizations from working with the advisers to establish vaccination recommendations. Kennedy's new vaccine panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations. The panel did endorse continuing to recommend fall flu vaccinations, but also made a decision that led to another notable difference with the AAP. The new advisory panel voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal. The AAP said there is no evidence of harm from the preservative, and recommended doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product that's appropriate for the patient.


UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
21 state AG's ask feds to ban 'designer Xanax' after Kentucky ban
1 of 2 | "This deadly drug has no place in our communities, and now we have the tools needed to get it off the streets and protect more lives," two-term Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear (pictured at the August 2024 DNC in Chicago, Ill.) said Monday. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Kentucky designated "bromazolam" as a Schedule 1 controlled substance as Gov. Andy Beshear also led a push to have it designated similarly at the federal level. Beshear announced the effort to ban the drug, also known as "designer Xanax" Monday after bromazolam was detected in at least 48 overdose deaths in Kentucky last year. "This deadly drug has no place in our communities, and now we have the tools needed to get it off the streets and protect more lives," the two-term Democratic governor said in a statement. The governor's signature immediately banned the drug from being sold in Kentucky and empowered law enforcement to act and arrest for sales or possession. It also provides further tools for authorities in Beshear's statewide crackdown. A 2021 report suggested that overdose deaths linked to illicit "designer" drugs had surged in the United States a staggering 520% between 2019 and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from 32 states and the District of Columbia. On Monday, the rumored Democratic presidential candidate pointed to "important progress" in Kentucky's fight against addiction with three straight years of declines in overdose deaths. "And we're committed to ensuring that work continues," Beshear added. Beshear's executive action this week reportedly came following a request by the state's Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman. "We live in a moment when as little as one pill can kill -- and is killing -- our kids," Coleman said Monday in a joint statement with Beshear. "I'm glad we could work together to tackle this grave threat," he added on the bipartisan effort to rid the streets of the "designer" bromazolam. In 1985 the federal government enacted its ban on the so-called "designer drug" Ecstasy entirely due to the fact it was created by chemists and Ecstasy spin-offs were starting to hit the streets. Coleman and 20 other GOP state attorneys general are now calling on the federal government to follow state actions. "Despite its clear dangers, bromazolam remains unscheduled at the federal level, creating significant challenges for law enforcement and public health officials trying to respond to this emerging crisis," read a letter in part to DEA Administrator Terry Cole signed by Coleman and Alabama's Attorney General Steve Marshall, Tim Griffin in Arkansas, Florida's James Uthmeier, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, Indiana's Attorney General Todd Rokita and Brenna Bird from Iowa, Liz Murrill of Louisiana, Lynn Fitch of Mississippi, Montana's Austin Knudsen, Mike Hilgers of Nebraska, Drew Wrigley of North Dakota, Dave Yost of Ohio, Oklahoma's Gentner Drummond, Pennsylvania's new Attorney General Dave Sunday, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, Marty Jackley of South Dakota, Jonathan Skrmetti of Tennessee, Virgina's Jason Miyares, John 'JB' McCuskey of West Virginia and Ken Paxton of Texas. Coleman's letter pointed to how the originally synthesized but never approved for medical use bromazolam is now being illegally sold on the streets and in online platforms. The band of Republican state chief law enforcement officers argues that without its scheduling on a federal level, bromazolam will continue to "evade traditional regulatory and prosecutorial tools," which they added will hinder interdiction efforts and enable "continued distribution through illicit channels." "Virginia took proactive action by scheduling bromazolam," Virginia's Attorney General Jason Miyares said Monday. "Now, I'm encouraging federal action to ensure every state has the same tools to protect Americans," the Republican AG and first Latino elected to statewide office in Virginia posted on social media.


The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
Leading pediatric group breaks with RFK Jr., recommends COVID shots for young kids
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Tuesday recommended that parents vaccinate all infants and young children against COVID-19, a break from Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his criticism of widespread vaccination. The group recommended all infants and children 6 months through 23 months get vaccinated against COVID-19 to help protect against serious illness. Children under 2 years old are especially vulnerable to severe COVID-19 and should be prioritized for vaccination, AAP said, unless they have a known allergy to the vaccine or its ingredients. The COVID recommendations were part of AAP's broader guidance for parents and pediatricians ahead of respiratory virus season and come as medical groups fight against what they see as Kennedy's efforts to undermine childhood vaccinations, including against the coronavirus. Kennedy in May announced in a video posted on X that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend routine COVID-19 shots for healthy children because of a lack of any clinical data to justify yearly vaccines. 'The AAP will continue to provide recommendations for immunizations that are rooted in science and are in the best interest of the health of infants, children and adolescents,' AAP President Susan J. Kressly said in a statement. 'Pediatricians know how important routine childhood immunizations are in keeping children, families and their communities healthy and thriving.' The CDC did not go as far as Kennedy wanted on COVID shots and instead recommended 'shared decision making' between parents and clinicians to decide whether a healthy child should get a shot. AAP also advised shared decision making for children ages 2-18 whose parent or guardian desires them to have the protection of the vaccine. But the Food and Drug Administration did not approve Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for use in healthy young children, only those with a health condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness. Since it was founded in 1930, AAP has published evidence-based vaccine guidance to support pediatricians. But it has not traditionally differed substantially from federal recommendations. AAP and HHS have been at odds for months, and tensions reached a head when Kennedy dismissed all the members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with his own handpicked representatives, including some outright vaccine skeptics. AAP's recommendation 'differs from recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC, which was overhauled this year and replaced with individuals who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation,' the group said in a statement. AAP chose not to participate in the reconstituted panel's first meeting in June, calling it 'illegitimate.' Kennedy later excluded AAP along with other top medical organizations from working with the panel to research and help influence vaccination recommendations. For decades, ACIP recommended which shots Americans should get and when. The Affordable Care Act requires all insurance companies to cover, for free, the vaccines recommended by the panel. Those recommendations also help states decide which shots should be mandated for schoolchildren. The panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations. Kennedy's shake-up is throwing that system into chaos. Outside physician and public health groups have been pressuring insurance companies to continue covering vaccines, no matter what ACIP does. 'The AAP urges every insurer to cover all the vaccines that are included in this immunization schedule,' Kressly said in the statement. 'AAP is committed to working with our partners at the local, state and federal levels to make sure every child, in every community has access to vaccines.'