Fri Apr 11 02:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Second Measles Death in Texas Fuels Outbreak, Prompts Vaccine Advocate’s Plea
**AUSTIN, TX** – A second child has died from measles in Texas, escalating concerns surrounding a growing outbreak that has infected at least 505 people across 22 states. This marks the first measles-related deaths in the U.S. in over a decade.
The outbreak has prompted a renewed call for vaccination, even from unexpected quarters. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former anti-vaccine advocate, recently declared the MMR vaccine the most effective way to prevent measles spread. He made the statement after visiting Gaines County, Texas, the epicenter of the outbreak, where he met with families who lost children to the disease.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the story of David Edmonston, whose blood, drawn when he was an 11-year-old boy, played a crucial role in developing the first measles vaccine in the 1950s. Edmonston, now 82, initially chose not to vaccinate his own son, citing misinformation he’d encountered. However, having witnessed firsthand the ethical development of the vaccine and the devastating effects of the outbreak, he’s become a vocal advocate for vaccination, warning against the spread of misinformation and urging people to trust the science behind vaccines.
Edmonston’s experience highlights the significant impact the measles vaccine has had, reducing annual measles deaths in the U.S. from 500 to near zero. Experts emphasize the vaccine’s vital role in public health and the importance of combating vaccine hesitancy to prevent further tragedies. The current outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the disease’s potential lethality and the critical need for widespread vaccination.
First Piper 