By Chad Terhune (Reuters) -As a measles outbreak spreads across West Texas, Dr. Ana Montanez is fighting an uphill battle to convince some parents that vitamin A - touted by vaccine critics as effective against the highly contagious virus - will not protect their children.

Kennedy wrote in an opinion piece published Sunday on Fox News Digital that parents should consult with physicians about the MMR vaccine.

HOUSTON — Texas health officials report that measles cases have jumped again in an update released Friday morning. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that 198 measles cases in nine counties have been identified since late January. Twenty-three patients have been hospitalized.

Kennedy said vaccines can protect children and contribute to community immunity, but the decision should still be parents'. Abbott hasn't mentioned them.

Another 113 had a “unknown” vaccine status and five patients had been vaccinated with at least one dose. The West Texas measles outbreak — the largest in the state in 30 years — has spread ...

Lubbock Public Health will be hosting a free MMR vaccine clinic as cases continue to rise and Texas reporting its first death in Lubbock last week.

Kennedy had previously called the measles outbreak “not unusual,” and he has criticized the vaccine in the past.

Like Texas, some Florida schools — such as an ... Kennedy Jr., who has a history as a vaccine skeptic, voiced support for the measles vaccine in early March. Kennedy said he was "deeply ...

The North Texas area reported its first confirmed ... "We're very lucky to have an extremely effective vaccine for measles. Having two doses of a measles vaccine confers 97% lifetime immunity."