With global measles cases surging more than 20% in a year, the spectre of an anti-vaccine leader like Robert F Kennedy Junior at the helm of US health policy has alarmed public health experts. Kennedy, a well-known vaccine sceptic, has long promoted dangerous misconceptions about vaccines, and his influence could worsen an already dire situation.

Although no statistically significant benefit was observed on the primary intention-to-treat analysis, the findings provide new evidence supporting the rationale for anti-inflammatory therapy in further randomised trials.