Overview
- On Sunday, Aug. 23, Rep. Byron Donalds told CBS’s Face the Nation that recent measles outbreaks are caused by “rampant illegal immigration” and said newcomers lacked vaccination schedules.
- Donalds said he would “study” possible rollbacks of MMR and polio school requirements and would engage the Florida Legislature before making final policy decisions.
- Medical experts and commentators immediately pushed back, noting Florida’s childhood MMR coverage is about 88.8 percent, below the 95 percent level public-health authorities say is needed for measles herd immunity.
- When pressed on air for evidence, Donalds offered anecdotes rather than data and declined to tell Florida parents to get their children vaccinated against measles.
- The exchange intersects with an active GOP push for a so-called medical freedom package and debate over immigration policy, which could shape whether lawmakers pursue changes that affect school vaccine mandates and liability rules.