Republican Blames Trump Policies for Measles Deaths

Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy on Wednesday blamed the Trump administration’s approach to vaccination for recent measles deaths in Pennsylvania. A physician and chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Cassidy spoke during a confirmation hearing for three of President Donald Trump’s health nominees as the US faces its worst measles outbreak in more than 35 years.

Cassidy said four people had reportedly died in Pennsylvania because of what he described as misinformation and misguided policies. He stressed that the country needs health officials who make decisions based on science rather than politics or ideology.

The committee is considering Chris Klomp for deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, Nicole Saphier for surgeon general and Timothy Westlake to lead the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Cassidy said vaccines are overwhelmingly safe and effective and do not cause autism. He also criticized an executive order breaking up the childhood vaccine schedule, saying it would require children to receive more shots and make them less safe.

The senator has become increasingly critical of changes to US vaccination policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose confirmation he supported with the deciding vote.

(Reuters, bak)