CDC credits Kennedy's efforts to clarify whether Pennsylvania's reported deaths were caused by measles
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, in a post on its X account
The CDC says it appreciates Kennedy's efforts to clarify conflicting information from Pennsylvania officials about whether the two deaths were caused by measles, and that it is working to determine what occurred.
“We appreciate Secretary Kennedy's efforts to clarify conflicting information from Pennsylvania officials about whether the two reported deaths were caused by measles. CDC is working to determine what actually occurred.”
Original post
Original post
Original post
Where this statement fits
RFK Jr. suggests Pennsylvania's measles deaths may have been fabricated; Shapiro says he sowed doubt and kept them off the CDC count
On August 25, 2026, Pennsylvania's Department of Health announced the state's first two measles-associated deaths in 35 years, both in Lancaster County, and Gov. Josh Shapiro said the Trump administration's rhetoric was hurting communities. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the next day that the announcement appeared premature and that the deaths may have been fabricated by one of the governor's staffers. The state health secretary said she had confirmed both deaths, and the CDC left them out of its weekly measles update while it reviewed them. After the county coroner said measles caused one infant's death, Kennedy said the finding showed why the CDC had waited for evidence. Shapiro said Kennedy had sowed doubt and directed the CDC not to acknowledge the deaths.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Post on the CDC's X account, quoting Secretary Kennedy's August 26 post. The agency says it is working to determine what occurred and that the governor's office has not provided relevant information.
Original post
About this source
Post on the CDC's X account on the day Pennsylvania announced the deaths. HHS and CDC extend condolences, say CDC will follow Pennsylvania's lead, and recommend the MMR vaccine.
Original post
About this source
Pennsylvania Department of Health post saying it is inaccurate to suggest the state has not given the CDC information about the outbreak, and that it reports measles case information to the CDC weekly.
Before the quotation
The CDC's post quotes Kennedy's August 26 post. On August 25 its account had extended condolences to the families affected by two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County.
After the quotation
The post says the governor's office has not provided the CDC with information relevant to the outbreak and has declined offers of assistance. The Pennsylvania Department of Health replied that it is inaccurate to suggest the state has not provided the CDC with relevant information.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case concerns Secretary Kennedy's response to Pennsylvania's reported measles deaths, including his suggestion that they may have been fabricated and the CDC's decision to leave them out of its count. The CDC credits Kennedy's efforts to clarify whether the two deaths were caused by measles and repeats his complaint that the governor's office withheld information, which backs his challenge to the state's reports. It does not repeat his suggestion that the deaths were fabricated.
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- Pennsylvania Department of Health
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Shapiro says Kennedy sowed doubt and directed the CDC not to acknowledge Pennsylvania's measles deaths
“Then, instead of listening to the real doctors and public health experts, RFK chose to sow doubt, play politics, direct the CDC not to acknowledge these deaths, and even accuse me of fabricating these tragedies.”Read statement
HHS says the CDC's reporting must separate what is known from what is unconfirmed
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
“CDC has a responsibility to ensure its reporting accurately distinguishes between what is known and what remains unconfirmed”Read statement
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- CDC credits Kennedy's efforts to clarify whether Pennsylvania's reported deaths were caused by measles
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The Dispute Index. "CDC credits Kennedy's efforts to clarify whether Pennsylvania's reported deaths were caused by measles". First published: 2026-10-31. Last updated: 2026-10-31. https://disputeindex.com/events/7438-the-cdc-says-it-appreciates-kennedy-s-efforts