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.
In late January, an ongoing outbreak in South Carolina – which has grown to nearly 1,000 cases – surpassed the number of cases recorded in West Texas last year to become the largest in the U.S. since the start of the century.
The U.S. is now on the verge of losing its measles elimination status after more than two decades, having met the typical criteria of 12 months of consistent spread on Jan. 20.
Noting that milestone, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) pressed Means during her Feb. 25 confirmation hearing on whether she would encourage mothers to get their children vaccinated against the disease.
“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,” Means replied, refusing to go further.
MS NOW reported that Means clarified in her written responses this week that she viewed the measles outbreak “as largely preventable with the MMR vaccine.”
She reportedly quoted acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya’s assessment that the vaccine “remains the most reliable and effective way” to prevent the disease.
