Parents of Child Who Died of Measles Speak Out Against Vaccination
The parents of a 6-year-old girl who tragically died from measles are publicly sharing their story, but their message is not one that promotes vaccination. In a deeply emotional video interview with Children’s Health Defense, a prominent anti-vaccine group, the Mennonite couple detailed how their five unvaccinated children contracted the highly contagious disease. Their daughter’s death in late February marked the first measles fatality in the United States in a decade.
The family resides in Gaines County and is part of a Mennonite community that has experienced a significant measles outbreak since January. This outbreak has resulted in dozens of hospitalizations and hundreds of cases, almost exclusively among unvaccinated individuals. Despite the devastating consequences of the outbreak, the parents remain steadfast in their opposition to vaccination.
"We would absolutely not take the MMR," the mother declared, referring to the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. This vaccine is widely recognized as a safe and highly effective tool in preventing measles. Even a single dose provides 93% protection against the disease, while the complete two-dose series offers 97% protection. Health officials have confirmed that the deceased child had no underlying health conditions that would have made her more susceptible to complications from measles.
The mother downplayed the severity of the measles, stating, "The measles wasn’t that bad." She added that she contracted the disease herself during her daughter’s funeral and that her other four children fell ill shortly thereafter. According to her, they "got over it pretty quickly." This personal anecdote directly contradicts the medical reality of measles, a potentially deadly disease, especially for young children.
The interview, conducted on March 16, featured the couple speaking in both English and Low German through a translator. They were interviewed by Polly Tommey, the executive director of Children’s Health Defense, and Brian Hooker, the group’s chief science officer. Children’s Health Defense was founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has drawn criticism for his inconsistent and often inaccurate statements regarding the ongoing measles outbreak, which is currently the largest in six years. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not yet issued a statement regarding the matter.
The parents revealed that their 6-year-old daughter had been experiencing measles symptoms for several days before her condition worsened. They were aware of the measles outbreak within their community and its ongoing spread. In the United States, approximately 1 in 5 unvaccinated individuals who contract measles require hospitalization. Tragically, 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children infected with the disease die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pneumonia, a common complication of measles, affects around 1 in 20 children with measles and is the leading cause of death in young children infected with the disease. In rare cases, measles can lead to brain swelling, resulting in convulsions, deafness, and intellectual disabilities.
When their daughter’s fever continued to rise and she complained of feeling tired, the parents sought medical attention at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock. The mother noted that her daughter’s breathing was abnormal, although she didn’t believe it appeared to be severely compromised. Hospital staff diagnosed the child with pneumonia. She was intubated to assist with her breathing and administered antibiotics. Tragically, she died days later due to complications from pneumonia.
Following the child’s death, Children’s Health Defense published a follow-up article accusing the hospital of "medical error" in her treatment. The organization cited a review of the medical records by Dr. Pierre Kory, a physician who previously lost his medical certifications, including those in pulmonary and critical care, for spreading misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Covenant Children’s Hospital responded with a statement, asserting that the video circulating online contained misleading and inaccurate claims concerning the care provided at the hospital. Hospital officials encouraged anyone with questions about measles to consult with a healthcare provider. Patient confidentiality laws prevent the hospital from releasing specific information related to the case.
After the death of their 6-year-old daughter, the parents reported that their other four children developed the characteristic rash associated with measles. Disturbingly, the father stated in English, "Measles are good for the body." Speaking in Low German through a translator, he claimed that immunity derived from measles would reduce a child’s susceptibility to cancer, a claim recently echoed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a Fox News interview. This claim is not supported by scientific evidence.
Kennedy has also advocated for treatments such as cod liver oil, which contains vitamin A, as a means of treating measles. However, experts emphasize that cod liver oil is not an evidence-based treatment for measles. Vitamin A supplementation is typically used for malnourished patients with measles, often in regions where access to vaccines is limited. However, it is not considered an effective treatment in the United States, where malnutrition is less prevalent. The parents stated that they sought treatment from a local doctor who promotes alternative treatments like cod liver oil.
While health agencies like the HHS and CDC emphasize that vaccination is the most effective strategy for containing the spread of measles, Kennedy and others have framed it as a matter of personal choice or have sown doubts about vaccine safety. Experts, however, remain firm in their assertion that vaccination is the best tool to protect individuals and communities from the devastating effects of measles. This tragedy highlights the importance of evidence-based medical information and the potential consequences of misinformation surrounding vaccine-preventable diseases.
