Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared to suggest getting measles is the best defense against the disease, as a Texas outbreak spreads across the U.S., the Daily Beast reports.
Said Kennedy: “It used to be, when I were a kid, that everybody got measles. And the measles gave you lifetime protection against measles infection. The vaccine doesn’t do that. The vaccine is effective for some people for life, but for many people it wanes.”
FACT: It is not healthy for everyone to get measles, as it is a highly contagious and serious disease that can lead to severe complications and death, especially in certain groups.
In fact, children under 5 are at a higher risk of developing severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Adults over 20 are also at increased risk for complications while folks with weakened immune systems, due to conditions like leukemia or HIV, are more susceptible to severe complications.
Measles, which can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal condition, can also cause long-term damage to the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to other infections.
In summary, while measles may seem like a mild illness to some, it poses significant health risks, especially to vulnerable populations. Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles and prevent its serious complications.