CDC Acting Director Urges Measles Vaccination as U.S. Cases Surge in 2026

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reinforcing its message that measles vaccination remains the most effective protection against the highly contagious disease, as cases climb to their highest levels in decades. CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya on Monday urged Americans to get vaccinated, emphasizing that immunization is key to preventing further spread.

“Measles is preventable, and vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself and those around you,” Bhattacharya said in a video message posted on X. His remarks signal a clear shift in tone from former acting CDC head Jim O’Neill, who previously questioned the safety of the measles vaccine and suggested splitting the shot into multiple doses.

The renewed push for measles immunization comes as South Carolina battles a significant outbreak. The state reported 985 measles cases on Friday, while nationwide confirmed cases reached 1,136 as of February 26, 2026, according to the latest CDC data. The surge threatens the United States’ measles elimination status, achieved decades ago, and marks the highest number of infections recorded in 30 years.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently withdrew broad federal recommendations for six routine childhood vaccines, stating that parents should make vaccination decisions individually in consultation with healthcare providers. Despite this policy shift, public sentiment appears supportive of immunization. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll found that a bipartisan majority of Americans believe vaccines are safe and support school vaccination requirements for children.

Bhattacharya said the CDC is deploying additional resources to contain outbreaks, including technical staff, laboratory assistance, vaccines, and therapeutics upon request. South Carolina officials have expanded their epidemiology workforce and sought additional analytical and infectious disease expertise to guide response efforts. The CDC says it is coordinating closely with state health departments to strengthen measles prevention and outbreak response nationwide.