The parents of a six-year-old child who tragically passed away from complications related to the measles during a recent outbreak in Texas have appeared in a video produced by the anti-vaccine advocacy group Children’s Health Defense. In the video, the grieving couple, members of the Mennonite community, continue to reject the use of vaccines and advocate for alternative, unproven treatments as a means of preventing illness.
The video highlights the parents’ strong opposition to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which they claim is unnecessary for preventing measles, even after the death of their child. The couple maintained that they had relied on untested treatments from Veritas Wellness, a holistic clinic located in Lubbock, Texas, which has been known to promote treatments like cod liver oil, vitamin C, and the steroid budesonide, all of which have no scientific backing for the treatment of measles.
The clinic, led by Dr. Ben Edwards, a proponent of alternative medicine, had the support of an online fundraising campaign organized by Children’s Health Defense. The group is headed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time anti-vaccine advocate, who recently launched a presidential campaign for 2024.
According to reports, Kennedy spoke with Dr. Edwards just days before the video was released, in addition to consulting with a local historian and a member of the Mennonite community.
The tragic death of the child might be seen by many as a clear argument in favor of vaccination, especially given the severity of the measles outbreak. However, figures like Brian Hooker and Polly Tomney from Children’s Health Defense interpreted the situation differently, using the parents' experience to reinforce their belief that untested treatments are a safer and more effective alternative to vaccination.
In the video, the young parents, who spoke in both English and German with the help of a translator, described their child's symptoms. They explained that initially, the child showed typical signs of measles, including a rash, fever, and mild respiratory issues.
However, after several days, the child’s fever persisted, and her breathing became labored. Concerned, they took her to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with pneumonia and subsequently placed on a ventilator in the ICU. Unfortunately, the child passed away.
The tragedy didn’t end there, as the parents’ other four children, aged two to seven, also contracted measles shortly after the death of their sister. The children were treated by Dr. Edwards, who provided them with his untested remedies, and according to the parents, the recovery was “quick and successful.”
“The doctor helped us, and they recovered very quickly,” the mother explained in the video, referring to her other children. “Dr. Ben gave them the medicine, and they got better in no time.”
Despite the loss of their child, the parents, along with the members of Children’s Health Defense, continue to argue that vaccination is unnecessary. They claim that the untested treatments provided by Dr. Edwards were more effective than the MMR vaccine, which they continue to oppose.
The parents went so far as to state that they would “rather have the untested treatments” than the MMR vaccine, citing their belief that they have witnessed “too much injury” from vaccinations in the past.
Polly Tomney of Children’s Health Defense, who was present during the interview, remarked that the parents expressed this sentiment despite the tragic outcome. “They would rather have this than the MMR vaccination because they’ve seen so much injury,” Tomney said.
“Do you still feel the same way about the MMR vaccine versus measles and the proper treatment with Dr. Ben Edwards?”
The mother responded without hesitation, stating, “Absolutely not take the MMR [vaccine]. The measles wasn’t that bad. [The other children] got over it pretty quickly. And Dr. Edwards was there for us.”
However, it’s important to note that the siblings may have had milder cases of measles regardless of the treatments they received. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five unvaccinated children who contract measles is hospitalized, and some experience complications that can lead to long-term health issues.
These numbers suggest that the use of untested treatments like those promoted by Dr. Edwards may not be as effective as vaccination in preventing serious illness.
Despite these statistics, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long been an outspoken critic of vaccines, appeared on Fox News earlier this month, claiming—without evidence—that the untested treatments used by the Mennonite family, including cod liver oil, antibiotics, and steroids, had “very, very good results” in treating measles.
During the interview with Children’s Health Defense, the parents made other claims that have no scientific basis. The father, speaking through a translator, explained that he believed measles could actually strengthen the immune system and protect against future illnesses like cancer.
While researchers have been investigating the potential for certain viruses, including measles, to aid in the treatment of specific cancers, the evidence shows that vaccination is far more effective in preventing measles and its complications.
“The measles was her time on Earth,” the translator said, quoting the father’s belief. “They believe she’s better off now, as she was too good for this earth.”
Brian Hooker and Polly Tomney of Children’s Health Defense took things a step further, claiming that they had obtained the child’s hospital records and contended that the child did not die from measles, but rather because the hospital had failed to use the appropriate treatments.
However, the CDC has consistently stated that vaccination remains the best defense against measles, as there is no specific antiviral treatment for the virus. The CDC also emphasized the importance of supportive care, including the administration of vitamin A, under the supervision of a physician.
This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding vaccination and the dangers of untested, alternative treatments. While the parents of the deceased child continue to reject the MMR vaccine and promote unproven remedies, the scientific community and health experts continue to warn against the dangers of avoiding vaccination.
In conclusion, the parents’ tragedy has become part of the larger conversation about vaccine safety and the risks of ignoring proven medical interventions. While they remain steadfast in their opposition to vaccination, their story serves as a reminder of the importance of relying on evidence-based practices to protect public health.
