Cassidy calls on RFK Jr. to publicly support whooping cough vaccine amid outbreak
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, called on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to publicly support the whooping cough vaccine as Louisiana experiences one of the worst outbreaks in recent history.
In 2024, six times the number of whooping cough — or pertussis — cases were recorded than the prior year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases peaked in November 2024, but they have remained high since then.
Louisiana has seen elevated cases this year, with two infants dying of whooping cough in April. In a letter to Kennedy, Cassidy noted the secretary had spoken about the benefits of MMR vaccines during the measles outbreak in West Texas earlier this year. Kennedy has long speculated on the possible negative side effects of MMR vaccines.
“As you acknowledged, ‘measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness with certain health risks, especially to unvaccinated individuals.’ The same is true for pertussis. Among those hospitalized in Louisiana, 75 percent were either unvaccinated or not up to date on pertussis vaccinations,” the Louisiana Republican wrote.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cassidy-calls-rfk-jr-publicly-213950934.html
Brainworm don't care.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.