Pallone Urges Public to Take Precautions as Trump-Era Vaccine Skepticism Leads to New Measles Case in New Jersey

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the New Jersey Department of Health confirmed a measles case in a Hudson County resident, with potential exposure at Newark Liberty International Airport and Hackensack University Medical Center:

"The presence of measles in New Jersey should put us all on alert. This virus is highly contagious, and anyone who may have been exposed at Newark Airport or Hackensack University Medical Center needs to take public health guidance seriously. People should watch for symptoms, call a doctor before showing up in person if they feel sick, and make sure they and their children are up to date on the MMR vaccine.

"The measles vaccine is safe, effective, and remains our best defense against an outbreak. What makes this even more dangerous is that Donald Trump put Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the most virulent vaccine skeptics in the country, in charge of the nation's top health agency. Kennedy has spent years undermining confidence in vaccines, and Trump has empowered that agenda at the worst possible moment. That kind of reckless anti-vaccine politics weakens public trust and makes outbreaks like this harder to contain. New Jersey residents deserve clear, science-based leadership, and I will keep fighting to protect it."

Vaccine skepticism has gained traction under President Trump, who embraced Kennedy's MAHA agenda, while the Trump administration has defended Kennedy's efforts to dismantle vaccine infrastructure.

Last year, Pallone introduced the Family Vaccine Protection Act, legislation to block Secretary Kennedy from unilaterally changing federal vaccine recommendations and to help ensure vaccine policy is guided by science and independent medical expertise. Pallone has also used his role on the Energy and Commerce Committee to press federal health officials for accountability as measles cases rise and public confidence in vaccination comes under increasing political attack, including this week when Kennedy appeared before his committee.

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