Washington D.C. – Amid the worst measles outbreak in 35 years, the Trump CDC has suddenly “changed the way it counts measles deaths”, opting now to use data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) “to track mortality trends over time” rather than near-real time reporting from state health departments. The “puzzling” move towards ‘long-term’ analysis follows the CDC’s refusal to acknowledge three measles deaths reported by Pennsylvania State Officials that met the agency’s “case definition for a measles case.” Now a fourth measles death was reported today in PA.
“Let’s be clear about the Trump administration’s ulterior motives here,” said Brad Woodhouse, President of Protect Our Care. “For years, both Donald Trump and RFK Jr spread anti-vax propaganda with no basis in science that terrified parents, caused vaccination rates to plummet and let measles flourish. They abused their celebrity to smear the safety of life-saving vaccines, then abused the power of the White House to do the same, only much worse. Trump’s anti-vax chickens have come home to roost with heartbreaking yet preventable measles deaths, including infants. The administration is now desperate to cover up the consequences of their actions while they ramp up their deadly crusade against the child vaccine schedule and the MMR shot.
“Measles deaths should be reported swiftly so communities can prepare and respond effectively, including aggressively promoting the MMR shot,” added Woodhouse. “Measles deaths should not be buried in some long-term study released God knows when, if at all. A well-informed public does not help Trump advance his deadly anti-vax agenda, so he rigged the reporting system – with the help of CDC Director Erica Schwartz who has thrown away all her hard-earned credibility.”
RELATED FROM PROTECT OUR CARE:
- Trump, RFK Jr. Smash 35-Year Record … of Measles Cases
- In “Highly Unusual” Order on Measles Deaths, CDC Director Schwartz Caves to Trump-RFK Jr Anti-Vax Agenda
- RFK Jr Back in Arms of Malignant Anti-Vax Group He Founded
- Jury Is In On Trump’s Anti-Vax Executive Order: Dangerous, Costly & Needless
- Poll Finds Trump’s Anti-Vax Executive Order Not Just Deadly To Kids, But to GOP’s Political Ambitions
###