Trump's surgeon general pick now says people should get vaccinated for measles

Source: The Hill

Saturday 14 March 2026 19:37 EDT


Surgeon General nominee Casey Means, who drew criticism last month for sidestepping a direct endorsement of the measles vaccine during her confirmation hearing, has clarified that she believes people should take the shot, according to written responses obtained by MS NOW.

Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns after Means told senators that vaccinations “save lives” and were a critical part of public health strategy, but stopped short of broadly encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated against illnesses such as measles, the flu or whooping cough.

Responding to requests for additional information from members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Means said she agreed with “Dr. Oz’s message to Americans to take the measles vaccine,” according to MS NOW. Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), encouraged Americans in early February to get vaccinated, amid a nationwide resurgence in measles cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,362 cases across 31 states as of March 12, 2026. There have been 14 reported new measles outbreaks, which are defined as three or more related cases.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/5784691-measles-vaccine-surgeon-general-stance/