Scientific integrity stories

Sep 3, 2026

Kennedy asked CDC to remove Pennsylvania measles deaths from tally, sources say

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly asked the CDC director to remove references to two Pennsylvania measles deaths from the agency's online tally after questioning whether the disease caused them.

Sep 3, 20262 sources

Top claims

▪U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sought to minimize the impact of rising U.S. measles cases, which have reached their highest level in over three decades, by casting doubt on reported deaths
▪The CDC excluded the Pennsylvania deaths from its August 30, 2026 website update, adding a note that available information did not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the fatalities
▪The Pennsylvania health department refused to share health records containing personally identifiable information with the CDC, citing legal barriers, but offered to provide de-identified data

People involved

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Subtopics

Public healthcare Public health policy Trump administration Vaccine policy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Related timelines