Surgeon General nominee Dr. Casey Means has issued a clarification regarding her stance on vaccinations, specifically addressing concerns raised during her confirmation hearing about her hesitancy to directly endorse the measles vaccine. In written responses submitted to lawmakers, Dr. Means has affirmed her belief that individuals should indeed receive the vaccine.
During her appearance before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Dr. Means stated that vaccinations “save lives” and are an integral component of public health strategies. However, she stopped short of issuing a broad recommendation for parents to vaccinate their children against common illnesses like measles, influenza, and whooping cough. This nuanced response prompted concern from senators on both sides of the aisle.
In response to follow-up questions from the HELP Committee, Dr. Means clarified her position. She indicated her agreement with a statement made by Dr. Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Dr. Oz had publicly encouraged Americans to get vaccinated against measles in early February, a call to action that coincided with a significant increase in measles cases across the nation.
The U.S. is currently grappling with a concerning resurgence of measles. As of March 12, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,362 cases spread across 31 states. This figure includes 14 reported new measles outbreaks, each defined as a cluster of three or more interconnected cases.
A particularly alarming outbreak in South Carolina, which has now surpassed 1,000 cases, has become the largest measles outbreak in the United States since the turn of the century. This outbreak alone has eclipsed the number of cases recorded in West Texas in the previous year. The current surge in cases has placed the U.S. on the brink of losing its measles elimination status, a designation it has held for over two decades. The nation has met the typical criteria for losing this status, which involves 12 months of consistent disease spread, as of January 20.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) specifically questioned Dr. Means about her willingness to encourage mothers to vaccinate their children during her confirmation hearing on February 25. Dr. Means responded by stating, “I’m supportive of vaccination. I do believe that each patient, mother or parent needs to have a conversation with their pediatrician about any medication they’re putting in their body and their children’s body.” This response, while expressing support for vaccination in principle, did not offer the direct advocacy some lawmakers sought.
However, in her subsequent written responses, Dr. Means elaborated on her views. She reportedly stated that she considers the current measles outbreak to be “largely preventable with the MMR vaccine.” Furthermore, she is understood to have referenced the assessment of acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who described the MMR vaccine as “the most reliable and effective way” to prevent measles. This further underscores Dr. Means’ belief in the efficacy of the vaccine, even if her initial public statements were more reserved.
The debate surrounding vaccination recommendations and public health messaging remains a critical issue, particularly in light of the current measles outbreaks. Dr. Means’ clarifications aim to address concerns and provide a clearer understanding of her perspective on the importance of vaccines in protecting public health.
