U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said last week he would send Texas 2,000 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine through its immunization program. Kennedy founded the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, but has said he would not prevent Americans from getting vaccinated.

As measles — a preventable disease the U.S. considered eliminated in 2000 — spreads through West Texas’ rural expanse, Klassen is sticking to an approach on vaccines that is a key tenet for Mennonites. Family leaders are the top decision-making authority — not outside recommendations, certainly not government mandates.