A controversial figure in vaccine debates has drawn attention to a Pacific nation’s immunization program following the deaths of two children after receiving measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. In a letter to the Samoan government, the activist sought permission to investigate the country’s vaccination policies, repeatedly emphasizing concerns about vaccine safety. The request comes amid ongoing discussions about immunization practices and their potential risks. Critics and supporters alike are likely weighing the implications of such an inquiry.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then a prominent anti-vaccine activist, preempted the 2019 visit with a letter to the Samoan prime minister requesting to study the Pacific island nation's measles, mumps and rubella vaccines after the deaths of two children who had received them. In the letter, he used the words vaccine or vaccination eight times.
