Dr. Oz: Measles Is Back — Get Vaccinated

As measles outbreaks intensify across the United States in early 2026, Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), made an unusually direct appeal for Americans to “take the vaccine,” emphasizing that the measles vaccine is the most effective defense against the escalating public-health crisis.

Historic Resurgence of an ‘Eliminated’ Disease

For more than two decades, measles was considered eliminated in the U.S. — meaning no sustained domestic transmission — thanks to near-universal vaccination and high levels of herd immunity.

However, public-health officials now warn that the country is at risk of losing that elimination status as confirmed cases climb dramatically.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of February 5, 2026, there were 733 confirmed cases reported nationwide — a figure that already exceeds many historical annual outbreak totals and reflects rapid growth in just weeks.

Major Outbreaks in Multiple States

The most severe outbreak is centered in South Carolina, where health officials report nearly 900 cases and counting, surpassing last year’s large outbreak in Texas.

Other regions, including the Utah-Arizona border, Florida, and scattered counties in several states, are also reporting rising infections, with children representing a disproportionate share of new cases.

The CDC notes that most infections occur in people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, highlighting gaps in immunization coverage that allow measles — one of the most contagious viruses known — to spread.

Why the Surge? Declining Vaccination & Public Distrust

Experts point to multiple contributing factors:

• Declining MMR vaccination rates among children in recent years, dropping below the level needed for community immunity.

• Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation that undermines confidence in routine immunizations.

• Public confusion over revised federal vaccine recommendations.

These trends have created pockets of underimmunized communities where measles can take hold rapidly once introduced.

Oz’s Unambiguous Message

In televised and print interviews, Dr. Oz stressed that measles is not like mild childhood illnesses — it can be serious and even life-threatening, particularly for young children.

“Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem,” Oz said, underlining that Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover the measles vaccine with no barriers to access.

Asked whether people should be worried, he replied plainly: “Oh, for sure.”

Political Crosswinds & Mixed Federal Messaging

Although Oz’s remarks strongly support vaccination, broader federal health leadership has been criticized for mixed messaging. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a controversial figure with a history of questioning aspects of vaccine policy, has not actively championed measles immunization, even as outbreaks worsen.

This has left many state and local health agencies to lead outbreak response efforts on their own, from quarantines to targeted vaccination campaigns.

Public Health Implications — Beyond the Headlines

Measles is not merely a rash and fever — it can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness, and death, especially among infants and immunocompromised individuals.

With the outbreak expanding and elimination status at stake, health experts say reinforcing vaccination is the single most effective way to protect individuals and communities.