Story perspectives

Wyden Urges Criminal Probe After Kennedy Vaccine Claims

8/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked Samoa’s prime minister for an MMR assessment in a Jan. 20, 2019 letter.
Kennedy told senators on Jan. 29, 2025 his 2019 Samoa visit “had nothing to do with vaccines.”
Four months later, a measles outbreak sickened 5,700 and killed 83, mostly children under five.
Samoa’s vaccination rate fell to 31% by the outbreak, down from 84%.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) urged a criminal investigation, saying lying to Congress carries consequences.

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Story summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked Samoa’s prime minister for an MMR assessment in a Jan. 20, 2019 letter.
Kennedy told senators on Jan. 29, 2025 his 2019 Samoa visit “had nothing to do with vaccines.”
Four months later, a measles outbreak sickened 5,700 and killed 83, mostly children under five.
Samoa’s vaccination rate fell to 31% by the outbreak, down from 84%.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) urged a criminal investigation, saying lying to Congress carries consequences.