Dr. Oz Urges Americans to ‘Take the Vaccine’ as Measles Cases Surge
WASHINGTON — Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), issued a direct and urgent plea to the American public on Sunday, imploring citizens to get vaccinated against measles as outbreaks across the country threaten the nation’s public health status.
“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 from the high-ranking health official comes as the United States faces a significant resurgence of the highly contagious virus. Federal data indicates that confirmed cases in early 2026 have already reached concerning levels, with a massive outbreak in South Carolina infecting over 900 people—surpassing the numbers seen in the substantial Texas outbreak of 2025. Health officials have warned that the United States is currently at risk of losing its official “measles elimination” status, a designation maintained since 2000.
Dr. Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and television personality appointed to lead CMS by President Donald Trump, sought to clarify the administration’s stance on immunization. While noting that “not all illnesses are equally dangerous,” Oz drew a firm line regarding this specific virus. “Measles is one you should get your vaccine [for],” he stated, confirming that Medicare and Medicaid would continue to cover the inoculation without barriers. “It is part of the core schedule.”
The interview also touched on the apparent tension between Oz’s medical advice and the views of his superior, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a well-documented history of vaccine skepticism. Oz defended Kennedy, arguing that the Secretary has been supportive of the measles vaccine specifically. “When the first outbreak happened in Texas, he said, ‘Get your vaccines for measles,’ because that’s an example of an ailment that you should get vaccinated against,” Oz told CNN.
Despite these assurances, infectious disease experts remain alarmed. The outbreaks, which have primarily affected children, are occurring against a backdrop of declining vaccination rates and revised federal guidance that has softened recommendations for other immunizations. However, Oz remained adamant that for measles, the science is clear and the solution is available.
“There will never be a barrier to Americans getting access to the measles vaccine,” Oz promised.
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