Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health Secretary, urged American parents on Sunday to vaccinate their children against measles amid a significant rise in infections. Speaking on CNN’s "State of the Union," Kennedy emphasized the importance of immunization as the country experiences measles case numbers not seen in over three decades.

The current outbreak has reached 2,371 confirmed cases this year, surpassing last year’s total of 2,289 cases. Health officials highlight that the past two years have seen more measles infections in the United States than in the entire 21st century before 2023.

Kennedy, known for his previous skepticism regarding vaccines and for promoting misinformation about immunizations, including the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, took an unexpected position in calling for vaccination amid the ongoing public health concern. The surge in measles cases reflects broader challenges related to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, which public health experts have linked to the re-emergence of diseases once considered largely controlled through routine immunization programs.

Health authorities continue to stress the safety and efficacy of vaccines as critical tools in preventing outbreaks and protecting public health, especially among children. The recent spike underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to prevent the spread of highly contagious diseases such as measles.