Sen. Cassidy urges measles shots, presses RFK Jr. to do more

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHere's the one-sentence version: a Republican senator who is also a doctor wants more Americans vaccinated against measles, and he wants the health secretary to say so louder.

2. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat sounds like a pretty friendly message, Hank. Who's the senator, and what exactly did he say?

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBill Cassidy of Louisiana. On Tuesday he urged people to get the measles vaccine, according to Newsmax, and his line was, quote, you don't die.

4. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorYou don't die. That's the shortest ad I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of drive-through jingles.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt is blunt. He said it while a measles outbreak is still going in the United States.

6. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd he asked somebody specific to help, right?

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Cassidy called on him to do more to promote vaccination.

8. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo a senator is asking the health department to promote health.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorPut that way, yes. That's why it's a story. The ask is the news, because it's a member of the same party asking in public.

10. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOkay, so how did we get here? Measles was supposed to be a thing of the past.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe reporting we have doesn't give the full history, and I won't guess at case counts. What it says is the outbreak is continuing.

12. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFair. So who does this touch? Is it just kids?

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe story doesn't break that down. Cassidy's message was aimed at Americans generally, so anyone not vaccinated is who he's talking to.

14. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIs there another side to this?

15. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWe only have Cassidy's side in this report, so I can't fairly lay out Kennedy's response. Whether he answers is not clear yet.

16. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSilence. Awkward for an office with that much health in its name.

17. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLet's stay with what's reported. The department's name is the department's name.

18. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhat should people watch for next?

19. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhether Kennedy answers Cassidy, and whether the outbreak keeps going. Those are the two things that would change this story.

20. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd if you're wondering about your own shots, a doctor is a good person to ask.

21. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorYes. Ask your own doctor, not a news anchor.

22. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the whole story: a doctor-senator says get the shot, and asks the health secretary to say it too.

23. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCorrect. It's a straightforward public health message from a Republican to a Republican official, which is the newsworthy part.