Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, chair of the US Senate health committee, says recent measles deaths in Pennsylvania are linked to vaccine misinformation and “misguided policies,” which he attributes to the Trump administration’s vaccine approach. He reports three deaths from measles in Pennsylvania and says a fourth death is under review.
Cassidy’s remarks come as the United States faces its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades. Speaking on Wednesday, he also challenged Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, urging the pick to directly state that vaccines do not cause autism. The outlets describe Cassidy’s comments as a push for clearer public messaging on vaccine safety amid the outbreak, reflecting his view that policy and misinformation contribute to the deaths.
