U.S. Health Official Urges Measles Vaccination Amid Multi-State Outbreaks
A leading U.S. health official has issued a public plea for Americans to get vaccinated against measles, as outbreaks surge across several states and the nation faces the potential loss of its measles elimination status. Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, emphasized the urgency during a television interview, stating, "Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem."
Outbreaks Spread Across Multiple States
The current measles situation in the United States is alarming, with significant outbreaks reported in various regions. An outbreak in South Carolina has already surpassed the case count recorded during Texas's 2025 outbreak, while another is active on the Utah-Arizona border. Multiple other states have confirmed cases this year, with children being disproportionately affected. Infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines may be contributing to the resurgence of this once-declared eradicated disease.
When asked if people should fear measles, Dr. Oz responded unequivocally, "Oh, for sure." He reassured the public that Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover the measles vaccine as part of their insurance programs, stating, "There will never be a barrier to Americans getting access to the measles vaccine. And it is part of the core schedule."
Administration's Stance on Vaccines
Dr. Oz, a heart surgeon, defended recent federal vaccine recommendations and past comments from President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding vaccine efficacy. He clarified that while not all illnesses are equally dangerous and not all people are equally susceptible, measles is one disease for which vaccination is crucial. "Measles is one you should get your vaccine," he emphasized.
Oz also asserted that the administration has consistently advocated for measles vaccines and credited Secretary Kennedy with being "on the very front of this." He referenced Kennedy's support during the initial Texas outbreak, noting that the health secretary urged people to get vaccinated against measles as an example of an ailment requiring immunization.
Revised Vaccine Recommendations and State Responses
The Republican administration recently dropped some vaccine recommendations for children, overhauling the traditional vaccine schedule in response to a request from President Trump. The Department of Health and Human Services stated that this revision followed a review of how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations. While states hold the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren, federal requirements often influence these regulations. Some states have begun forming alliances to counter the administration's new guidance on vaccines.
Federal data reveals concerning trends: U.S. vaccination rates have dropped, the share of children with exemptions has reached an all-time high, and rates of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough are rising nationwide.
Scrutiny of Kennedy's Vaccine Skepticism
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s past skepticism of vaccines has come under intense scrutiny since his nomination. During his Senate confirmation testimony, he claimed that a 2019 trip to Samoa had "nothing to do with vaccines." However, documents obtained by The Guardian and The Associated Press indicate that Kennedy sought meetings with top Samoan officials during his visit. Samoan officials later stated that his trip bolstered anti-vaccine activists before a devastating measles outbreak that sickened thousands and killed 83 people, mostly children under five.
Critics argue that Kennedy's longtime skepticism of U.S. vaccine recommendations and past sympathy for unfounded claims linking vaccines to autism may influence public health guidance contrary to medical consensus. Kennedy has maintained that a link between vaccines and autism has not been disproven and has previously raised concerns about components like thimerosal, though most measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines do not contain this preservative.
Mixed Messaging and Public Trust
Dr. Oz's comments reflect a broader pattern within the administration of discordant statements on vaccine efficacy amid public health policy changes. Officials have walked a fine line, sometimes appearing sympathetic to unfounded conspiracy theories while not entirely straying from established science. For instance, during a Senate hearing, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya stated that no single vaccine causes autism but did not rule out potential negative effects from vaccine combinations.
Administration officials often cite the need to restore trust in public health systems after the polarizing coronavirus pandemic, during which misinformation and conspiracy theories spread widely. Kennedy, who previously led the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, has faced criticism for ordering reviews of vaccines and guidelines that leading medical groups consider settled science. Public health experts have also criticized President Trump for making unfounded claims, such as linking Tylenol and vaccines to rising autism rates without evidence.
