DUBUQUE, Iowa — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said federal help is available to fight measles in Iowa if needed.
Kennedy made the comments on Wednesday after visiting the Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque. He toured the facility and joined health leaders for a closed roundtable discussion focused on expanding access to primary and preventive care and discussing community health needs.
The measles outbreak in southern Iowa was one of the main topics addressed. Kennedy said the cases are mainly found in religious groups.
“Most of measles cases are in religious communities. Here they’re in mainly Amish and Mennonite communities and others that haven’t vaccinated for hundreds and hundreds of years,” Kennedy said. “Those cases we want to make sure that those children are taken care of.”
Kennedy said he spoke with Gov. Kim Reynolds about the cases and that the Epidemic Intelligence Service is ready whenever needed. He said the U.S. is doing a great job at controlling the international measles epidemic and he encourages measles vaccination.
Several Democratic members in Dubuque demonstrated outside during the visit. County Public Health Chair Kathy Dolter and Sandra Larsen, former chair of the county board of health, were among those who protested.
“RFK Jr. says he wants to make America healthy again. Number one is first of all through prevention and vaccines saving lives,” Dolter said.
The protest ran from 2:30-4 p.m. with people holding up signs about improving vaccination for children.