WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), issued an urgent appeal to Americans on Sunday to vaccinate against measles as multiple outbreaks push the nation’s public health infrastructure to a breaking point.
“Take the vaccine, please,” Oz said during an interview on CNN’s State of the Union. “We have a solution for our problem.”
The appeal comes as the United States faces its most significant measles threat in decades. After achieving “elimination status” in 2000—meaning the virus was no longer circulating continuously—the U.S. is now at risk of losing that designation.
- South Carolina Outbreak: A major surge in South Carolina has surpassed 870 cases, eclipsing the size of the 2025 Texas outbreak.
- Regional Spread: Significant clusters have been identified on the Utah-Arizona border, with confirmed cases reported in at least 20 states this year.
- Vaccination Decline: CDC data shows kindergarten vaccination rates have fallen to approximately 92.5%, well below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.
Dr. Oz, a heart surgeon, find himself in a delicate position, advocating for the measles vaccine while defending the broader “Make America Healthy Again” platform led by President Donald Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Last month, the administration overhauled the federal vaccine schedule, moving several immunizations into “high-risk” or “clinical decision” categories rather than universal recommendations. However, Oz emphasized that the measles vaccine remains a “core” priority.
“Not all illnesses are equally dangerous… but measles is one you should get your vaccine,” Oz stated. He further assured the public that Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover the cost of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine without barriers.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is scheduled to meet on April 13 to formally review whether the U.S. will join Canada in losing its measles elimination status. Losing this status would mean the virus is officially considered re-established in the United States.
The CDC recommends children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years. Two doses are 97% effective at preventing the disease.
