Summary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s claim that he “had nothing to do with people not vaccinating in Samoa” during the 2019 measles epidemic is not credible.
While a 2018 vaccine mishap and subsequent pause primarily caused low vaccination rates, Kennedy’s engagement with the Samoan government, his promotion of anti-vaccine influencers, and his amplification of misinformation contributed to vaccine hesitancy.
The epidemic caused 83 deaths, primarily among children, with a mortality rate over 1%.
Kennedy has since downplayed his role, despite evidence of his involvement in anti-vaccine advocacy.
I’m all for RFK Jr. doing time, but strictly-speaking, he wasn’t in charge of Samoan health services. He is totally free to say any nonsense he wants to anybody, the person responsible ultimately is the one who puts the nonsense into action.