Latest news with #TexasDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
False Measles Vaccine Conspiracy Theories Won't Stop: Here's Everything You Need to Know
NurPhoto/Getty Images There's a deadly measles outbreak raging in west Texas, and it's being fueled, at least in part, by anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services announced two cases of measles in unvaccinated children on January 23. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that, as of March 7, there are 208 cases related to the Texas outbreak, which has also spread into New Mexico. As a result, one child has died and another death is under investigation. This outbreak marks the first measles death in the U.S. in a decade. Nearly all of the people who have the measles in this Texas outbreak are unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown. According to KFF research published in November, 2024, childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. have been falling over the last few years, which 'appear[s] to be related to increasing vaccine hesitancy, fueled in part by vaccine misinformation' after the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, 93% of U.S. kindergarteners are fully vaccinated against the measles, according to the New York Times — falling below the 95% needed for herd immunity. And in some places, like spots in Texas, fewer than 50% are protected against measles. While the source of the current outbreak is unknown, Dr. Jennifer Shuford, head of the Texas Department of State Health Services, told the state's House Committee on Public Health that decreasing trust in vaccines is part of the problem. 'At 95%, we have what's called herd immunity. We know when those vaccine levels get lower than 95% that there's enough unprotected people together to cause an outbreak,' she said, according to the Texas Tribune. 'There's been some decreased interest or decrease in trust in vaccines and that's caused a decrease in vaccination rates.' But what exactly is behind that distrust, particularly in the measles vaccine? Here's how the fully debunked and false conspiracy theories about the measles vaccine came to be. "Conspirituality" Boomed During the Pandemic, And It Could Have Consequences for the Vaccine Effort [*Booster*]( *is a series exploring the COVID-19 vaccine and what it means for young people — from the science behind it to how it impacts our lives.* It started with a study that wrongly linked the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine with autism. In 1998, Andrew Wakefield — an anti-vaccine activist and former doctor who has now been banned from practice in the UK, his home country — and 12 coauthors published a paper that falsely concluded that 'possible environmental triggers' (i.e. the vaccine) were associated with the onset of both" chronic enterocolitis and developmental regression. Twelve years after publishing the controversial study that spurred countless parents around the world to abstain from the MMR vaccine, medical journal The Lancet retracted the paper, finding it to be 'incorrect.' Britain's General Medical Council, which registers and regulates doctors in the U.K., ruled that Wakefield acted 'dishonestly and irresponsibly' during his research and with 'callous disregard' for the children involved in his study. Though the study has now been disproven — there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism — the damage had already been done. According to a report in TIME from 2010, 'Vaccination rates among toddlers [in the UK] plummeted from over 90% in the mid-1990s to below 70% in some places by 2003. Following this drop, Britain saw an increase in measles cases at a time when the disease had been all but eradicated in many developed countries. In 1998, there were just 56 cases of the disease in England and Wales; by 2008 there were 1,370.' In the U.S., research found that vaccine skepticism increased because of Wakefield's paper, Per the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, the MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles, helping to protect the child who is vaccinated, as well as 'those unable to be vaccinated who are most vulnerable to serious disease such as immunocompromised patients and infants too young to be vaccinated.' The NFID is clear in its messaging, that 'the most important thing parents and others can do to help protect their families and communities from measles is to make sure that everyone who can be vaccinated is vaccinated against measles.' And, MMR vaccination rates across the U.S. have been and continue to be fairly high — though often falling short of the 95% threshold. To this day, many parent advocacy groups continue to defend Wakefield, despite the retraction of the critically flawed study, and that no large study has ever replicated his findings. Generation Rescue, a group founded by actors Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey rose in the wake of this study, dominating the public conversation around autism, while offering debunked and potentially harmful methods to 'treat' autism. At one point, Generation Rescue's board members included figures like Katie Wright, daughter of Bob and Suzanne Wright, the founders of influential and controversial advocacy group, Autism Speaks. While MMR vaccination rates have slightly fluctuated over the years, the COVID-19 pandemic breathed new life into vaccine hesitancy and skepticism, prompting another drop in the number of children getting their MMR vaccines. The Guardian reports that 'influencers who gained large followings during the pandemic – including those at the forefront of sowing doubt about the COVID vaccines – appear to have refocused some attention on MMR.' An increasingly politicized topic, misinformation and conflicting messaging continues to about in current mass communication. As recently as March 2025, Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who has been criticized for his purported connection to the 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa that killed 83 — outlined a strategy for containing the measles outbreak in West Texas in a wide ranging interview with Fox News, largely drawing on fringe theories about prevention and treatment. Despite extensive research to the contrary, he also suggested vaccination injuries were more common than currently known. Bizarrely, the known anti-vax secretary simultaneously called for vaccinations in the affected community. Conflicting messaging surrounding MMR vaccine conspiracy theories particularly targets parents on social media. Parents are especially vulnerable — they may be concerned about protecting their child from a vaccine that they see as potentially harmful, or they may be searching for a reason their child was diagnosed with autism. But, autism is not caused by vaccines, and there is no one known cause or reason for it. One study from Texas A&M School of Public Health researchers set out to identify reasons why anti-vaccine attitudes persist among parents. 'Our research suggests that anti-vaccine attitudes have deeply grounded psychological origins, which may be quite difficult to change,' author Timothy Callaghan, PhD, said in an article about the study. Their report noted that a crucial challenge for medical professionals was how to communicate effectively to change the minds of those with more conspiratorial thinking, suggesting that 'efforts to encourage childhood vaccination may be more successful if we avoid making mention of scientific studies, which parents might see as motivated by ulterior motives, or tying information to health departments (which these parents might find untrustworthy).' At once, in part because of conflicting messaging, fact and evidence-based communication might hold less weight for worried parents, considering the emotional weight of issues regarding children's health in general. One study also suggests that Dunning-Kruger effects (in which people overestimate their knowledge on a certain subject), can also help explain public opposition to vaccination policies. Further, the study suggests that this overconfidence 'is associated with opposition to mandatory vaccination policy' and 'is also associated with increased support for the role that non-experts (e.g., celebrities) play in the policymaking process.' Vaccines have 'saved more human lives than any other medical invention in history,' according to the World Health Organization, but these unfounded theories continue to prevent vaccines from protecting some vulnerable groups. In the face of a measles outbreak, however, some people seem to change their thinking. Texas station KHOU reports that demand for the measles vaccine has 'soared' in the state in recent weeks. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Notorious vaccine skeptic RFK Jr finally urges people to get measles jab after deadly outbreak
Longtime vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr has urged people to get the measles jab after a deadly outbreak in Texas – having initially downplayed the rapid spread of the infectious disease. Writing in a Fox News op-ed Sunday, the freshly-confirmed Department of Health and Human Service secretary championed the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, touting its efficacy against the deadly virus. 'Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us,' reads the title, with the standfirst stating: 'MMR vaccine is crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease.' In the article's opening line, RFK Jr stated he is 'deeply concerned about the recent measles outbreak.' He reflected on the days before the first measles vaccine was licensed for public use in the U.S. in 1963. 'Prior to the introduction of the (MMR) vaccine in the 1960s, virtually every child in the United States contracted measles,' RFK Jr citing that from 1953 to 1962, there were an average of 530,217 confirmed cases and 440 deaths – a one in 1,205 cases fatality rate. The Kennedy scion said that it is the government's responsibility to ensure that accurate information is relayed about vaccine safety and efficacy, and pledged to 'make vaccines readily accessible for all those who want them.' He added: 'Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons. RFK Jr did, however, emphasize that the decision to vaccinate is 'a personal one.' According to the latest figures from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services released Friday, 146 measles cases have been identified since late January – a majority of whom appear to be unvaccinated. An unvaccinated school-age child in Lubbock marked the first death from the highly contagious virus last week and twenty other people have been hospitalized. After the death Wednesday, the nation's top health official appeared to downplay the situation in Texas and described the outbreak as 'not unusual.' 'There have been four measles outbreaks this year in this country. Last year there were 16. So it's not unusual," he said during Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting. 'We have measles outbreaks every year.' RFK Jr's latest remarks appear to mark a U-turn from his previous peddling of vaccine skepticism and conspiracy theories, including his promotion of the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Along with his comments about vaccines and autism, the HHS secretary has made other historic inflammatory remarks, including suggesting in January 2022 that Anne Frank was in a better situation when she hid from Nazis than Americans were under Covid-19 mandates. He also baselessly claimed that Covid-19 was a 'bioweapon' that targets 'Caucasians and Black people' while sparing Ashkenazi Jewish and Chinese people. Spreading Covid-19 misinformation resulted in Meta deactivating his Instagram account in 2021. During his Senate confirmation hearings last month, he attempted to clean up his previous remarks and insisted he is not anti-vaccine, but 'pro-safety.' RFK Jr denied Oregon Senator Ron Wyden's accusations that he 'embraced conspiracy theories, quacks, charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines,' and noted his own children are vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy was already a concern before the Covid-19 pandemic and worsened during the vaccination campaigns, experts told the Washington Post. According to a survey from the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center last June, nearly one in four respondents believed that the MMR vaccine caused autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said there is no evidence linking the measles vaccine and autism. In August 2024, the findings from an Annenberg Science and Public Health survey suggested that more than a quarter of Americans believe that Covid-19 vaccines have caused thousands of deaths.
The Independent
03-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Notorious vaccine skeptic RFK Jr finally urges people to get measles jab after deadly outbreak
Longtime vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr has urged people to get the measles jab after a deadly outbreak in Texas – having initially downplayed the rapid spread of the infectious disease. Writing in a Fox News op-ed Sunday, the freshly-confirmed Department of Health and Human Service secretary championed the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, touting its efficacy against the deadly virus. 'Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us,' reads the title, with the standfirst stating: ' MMR vaccine is crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease.' In the article's opening line, RFK Jr stated he is 'deeply concerned about the recent measles outbreak.' He reflected on the days before the first measles vaccine was licensed for public use in the U.S. in 1963. 'Prior to the introduction of the (MMR) vaccine in the 1960s, virtually every child in the United States contracted measles,' RFK Jr citing that from 1953 to 1962, there were an average of 530,217 confirmed cases and 440 deaths – a one in 1,205 cases fatality rate. The Kennedy scion said that it is the government's responsibility to ensure that accurate information is relayed about vaccine safety and efficacy, and pledged to 'make vaccines readily accessible for all those who want them.' He added: 'Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons. RFK Jr did, however, emphasize that the decision to vaccinate is 'a personal one.' According to the latest figures from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services released Friday, 146 measles cases have been identified since late January – a majority of whom appear to be unvaccinated. An unvaccinated school-age child in Lubbock marked the first death from the highly contagious virus last week and twenty other people have been hospitalized. After the death Wednesday, the nation's top health official appeared to downplay the situation in Texas and described the outbreak as 'not unusual.' 'There have been four measles outbreaks this year in this country. Last year there were 16. So it's not unusual," he said during Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting. 'We have measles outbreaks every year.' RFK Jr's latest remarks appear to mark a U-turn from his previous peddling of vaccine skepticism and conspiracy theories, including his promotion of the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Along with his comments about vaccines and autism, the HHS secretary has made other historic inflammatory remarks, including suggesting in January 2022 that Anne Frank was in a better situation when she hid from Nazis than Americans were under Covid-19 mandates. He also baselessly claimed that Covid-19 was a 'bioweapon' that targets 'Caucasians and Black people' while sparing Ashkenazi Jewish and Chinese people. Spreading Covid-19 misinformation resulted in Meta deactivating his Instagram account in 2021. During his Senate confirmation hearings last month, he attempted to clean up his previous remarks and insisted he is not anti-vaccine, but 'pro-safety.' RFK Jr denied Oregon Senator Ron Wyden's accusations that he 'embraced conspiracy theories, quacks, charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines,' and noted his own children are vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy was already a concern before the Covid-19 pandemic and worsened during the vaccination campaigns, experts told the Washington Post. According to a survey from the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center last June, nearly one in four respondents believed that the MMR vaccine caused autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said there is no evidence linking the measles vaccine and autism. In August 2024, the findings from an Annenberg Science and Public Health survey suggested that more than a quarter of Americans believe that Covid-19 vaccines have caused thousands of deaths.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Hunt County foster care center shuts down after 11-year-old boy's death
The Brief A new report reveals staff at a now-closed treatment center for Texas foster children ignored a boy's cries for medical help. The boy later died in the middle of a movie theater where seven staff members were present. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is now investigating the 11-year-old's death. The report claims the foster care facility also had a history of problems, including fight clubs and sexual misconduct. GREENVILLE, Texas - A Hunt County treatment center for foster children was shut down following the death of an 11-year-old boy. A new report reveals he died in a movie theater after his cries for help were ignored by staff members. What we know According to a report released by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on Tuesday, the 11-year-old boy, who is referred to as O.R. died on Nov. 27. Seven staff members from Thompson's Residential Treatment Center in Greenville had taken him and 19 other children to see a movie – Gladiator II. The report says staff members told law enforcement officers "O.R. was fine most of the day… and walked into the movie on his own accord." But when investigators reviewed video from inside the theater, they saw something completely different. "O.R. was unsteady on his feet and not able to walk on his own. O.R. looked like he was about to pass out and they were dragging him along by his arm, and then O.R. falls to the ground as they pass the ticket counter. Staff then drag O.R. down the hallway a few feet before picking him back up and continue to force him forward to get him into the movie theater," the report says. At the end of the movie, staff are seen laying him on the floor in the hall. "O.R. was clearly unresponsive, and staff called 911 at 10:06 PM," the report says. "Finally, after three minutes, Staff 1 began to attempt CPR." Interviews revealed O.R. had woken up that morning "screaming, and crying in pain, and complaining of a stomachache." The report says he informed staff that evening that he did not want to go to the movie because he continued to feel "unwell and weak." A preliminary autopsy found he had a bowel blockage. What we know Thompson's Residential Treatment Center was shut down a week after the boy's death. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement that it found the Greenville foster care center posed an immediate threat to the health and safety of children. The report released on Tuesday also revealed plenty of warning signs. In 2011, the facility received 14 citations for allowing fight clubs. "Some children were choked to the point of turning colors during the fights… Staff would 'referee the fights, make bets on who they thought would win, and sometimes fight the children,'" the report says. There were also reports of sexual misconduct between children. The staff member who was the supervisor on the movie trip had complaints of physical abuse while working at Thompson's Farmersville campus. That campus closed voluntarily in 2021. In 2022, a treatment center named North Star opened with the same administrator as the Greenville campus. That center also closed in December. What we don't know It's not clear why the warning signs about the Greenville campus were seemingly ignored. What they're saying State Sen. Angela Paxton brought the concern up during a Senate finance committee hearing earlier this month. "Tragically, in my district, there was an 11-year-old boy who passed away this past November while he was under the care of a licensed residential treatment center," she said. Paxton asked what the state is doing to shut down bad facilities before a tragedy happens. HHS Chief Policy and Regulatory Officer Jordan Dixon said the answer may be fewer regulations. "This is going to sound a little counterintuitive, but we're undergoing a process of reviewing all of their regulations, rules, policy, guidance, etc. It is voluminous and I think our staff when they go in for surveys or annual inspections, we have so many rules they can only do half of the rules each year in terms of determining compliance," she said. The Source The information in this story comes from a newly released report from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and recordings from a Senate finance committee hearing earlier this month.
