Thanks to fake news - 1,282 Americans got the measles in 2019, the worst epidemic in 27 years. So how did a disease that was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 make a comeback?
It all started with a fraud named Andrew Wakefild. He published his misleading article, complete with false data about 12 children, in a medical journal in 1998 in an effort to extort money from vaccine makers.
The poorly vetted journal retracted the article in 2010. And Wakefield's liscense to practice medicine was revoked for his "dishonest and irresponsible behavior." But the damage was done. And the repercussions continue to be felt.
Because if you speak first and repeat often, people will believe you, even if you aren't telling the truth.