With rising measles cases, a top U.S. health official urges more people to get vaccinated

Dr. Mehmet Oz warns that the measles risk is rising

Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, publicly urged Americans to get vaccinated against measles as outbreaks spread across multiple states. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Oz said measles remains a serious and preventable disease.

Oz made his remarks as the United States faces the risk of losing its measles elimination status. That status was achieved after years of high vaccination coverage but is now threatened by declining immunization rates.

Measles outbreaks expand across multiple states

Confirmed measles outbreaks are growing in several parts of the United States. South Carolina’s outbreak has grown to more than 900 cases since it began in late 2025, making it one of the most significant U.S. outbreaks in years.

Additional outbreaks have been identified along the Utah-Arizona border. Several states have reported cases in 2026, and health officials are also tracking large outbreaks that began in late 2025 and continued into the new year.

Infectious disease experts note that measles spreads easily in communities with low vaccination coverage. The recent outbreaks have affected mainly children, especially those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.

Health officials stress that measles is especially dangerous

Dr. Oz said not all illnesses pose equal risk, but measles is one disease people should not ignore. He told CNN that measles is dangerous enough to warrant strong vaccination efforts.

Oz said people should fear measles because it is highly contagious and can be severe. He emphasized that vaccination is the solution available to prevent illness and outbreaks.

Public health experts agree that measles can lead to serious complications, especially in children. The renewed warnings reflect concern that public complacency is contributing to the disease’s return.

Medicare and Medicaid cover measles vaccines

Oz said Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries can get measles vaccination without cost being the obstacle. In practice, measles vaccine coverage for adults is typically handled through Medicare Part D, which generally provides $0 cost-sharing for ACIP-recommended adult vaccines.

In contrast, Medicaid coverage is administered by states under federal rules. The vaccine is part of the core immunization schedule supported by federal health programs. Coverage applies regardless of recent changes to broader vaccine recommendations.

Federal vaccine guidance recently changed

In early 2026, HHS said CDC updated the childhood immunization schedule following a presidential memorandum, shifting some vaccines away from universal recommendations and toward more limited or shared decision-making guidance. The Department of Health and Human Services said the changes followed a request from Donald Trump.

Trump asked health agencies to review how peer nations structure vaccine schedules. Officials were instructed to consider whether U.S. guidance should be revised.

Oz said continued coverage ensures cost is not a reason to skip vaccination. As of January 2026, federal insurance programs continue to fund measles immunization nationwide.

States control school vaccine requirements

States, not the federal government, set vaccination requirements for schoolchildren. Federal guidance often influences state policy but does not mandate it. Some states have begun forming alliances to counter recent federal shifts on vaccines. These efforts aim to maintain higher immunization standards.

As of 2026, differences between state and federal approaches have created uneven vaccine policies. Public health officials warn that gaps in requirements can allow outbreaks to spread.

U.S. vaccination rates continue to decline

Federal data shows U.S. vaccination rates have dropped in recent years. The share of children with vaccine exemptions has reached an all-time high. At the same time, vaccine-preventable diseases are increasing. Measles and whooping cough cases have risen across the country.

Experts say declining trust in vaccines contributes to these trends. Lower vaccination coverage makes communities more vulnerable to fast-spreading diseases like measles.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine views scrutinized

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced criticism for long-standing skepticism about vaccines. Critics argue his past statements may influence public health policy. Oz said Kennedy supports measles vaccination despite questioning other aspects of vaccine schedules. Oz cited Kennedy urging vaccination during the Texas measles outbreak.

The issue has drawn attention because Kennedy leads the Department of Health and Human Services. Public health experts closely watch his views.

Kennedy’s Samoa trip raises concerns

Kennedy’s past actions have come under renewed scrutiny. During Senate confirmation testimony, Kennedy said a 2019 trip to Samoa had nothing to do with vaccines.

However, documents obtained by The Guardian and the Associated Press indicate he sought meetings with Samoan officials. The trip occurred before a deadly measles outbreak.

Samoan officials later said the visit boosted anti-vaccine activists. The outbreak sickened thousands and killed 83 people, mostly children under age five.

Conflicting messages complicate public trust

Administration officials have sent mixed signals about vaccines. Some statements appear sympathetic to unfounded claims while still endorsing established science.

During a Senate hearing, Jay Bhattacharya said no single vaccine causes autism. However, he did not rule out future findings on vaccine combinations.

Public health experts warn that inconsistent messaging undermines confidence. Restoring trust is harder when officials offer conflicting views on settled science.

Autism claims remain scientifically disputed

Kennedy has argued that a link between vaccines and autism has not been disproved. He has cited concerns about thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative.

Most measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines do not contain thimerosal. A federal vaccine advisory committee voted on guidance related to thimerosal in flu vaccines, and HHS later said it adopted the recommendation for U.S. influenza vaccines.

Medical research groups continue to reject claims linking vaccines to autism. Experts say repeating disputed theories can increase vaccine hesitancy.

Pandemic misinformation worsened vaccine skepticism

Vaccine skepticism increased during the coronavirus pandemic. Public health responses became highly politicized. Misinformation and conspiracy theories spread widely. Longtime anti-vaccine groups gained more public attention.

Officials now say rebuilding trust is essential. Declining vaccination rates following the pandemic have created conditions for outbreaks like measles to return.

To see how these trends are playing out in real time, read how one South Carolina county is now driving the largest measles outbreak in a generation.

Measles vaccination seen as urgent priority

Dr. Oz’s plea reflects growing urgency among health officials. Measles is highly contagious but preventable with vaccination.

Outbreaks across multiple states highlight the consequences of declining immunization rates. Children remain the most affected group.

As of January 2026, health leaders stress that measles vaccination is a clear and compelling step. They warn that continued hesitancy risks wider outbreaks and loss of elimination status.

If you would like more insight into the policy debates shaping vaccine guidance, please read about the recent appointments to the CDC immunization advisory panel.

What’s your take on the measles surge, and do you think public vaccine messaging is helping or hurting? Share your thoughts and drop a comment.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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