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.
Quite frankly, the one who should go to the slammer over this is whichever Samoan health official listened to a random American goofball giving him free advice on vaccination, regardless of whether the name of said goofball happened to be famous.
Why not both?
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.