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This is On Point. I'm Deborah Becker. The question of

routine vaccines was a main focus in the debate over the nation's new top public health

official Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Before he was confirmed, as the nation's Health and Human

Services Secretary last week, senators asked Kennedy about his anti-vaccine activism,

and Kennedy responded with a promise.

I support the measles vaccine.

I support the polio vaccine.

I will do nothing as HHS secretary.

That makes it difficult or discourages people from taking either of those vaccines.

Anybody who believes that on a look at the measles?

Again, Kennedy said there that he would do nothing as HHS secretary that would make it difficult

for people to take either the measles or polio vaccines.

Now, Kennedy's confirmation comes as the nation's vaccination rate is declining and disease outbreaks are rising.

In Texas, there are now 48 cases of measles, the largest outbreak there in 30 years.

Last year, whooping cough or pertussis spread in the U.S. at the highest rate in a decade.

And perhaps the biggest fears are about a

...