Dr. Casey Means, the nominee for the U.S. surgeon general, has reversed her stance on measles vaccination, urging Americans to get vaccinated.
Dr. Means, in her written remarks to the Senate health committee, expressed her support for the measles vaccine, reported MS NOW. This statement comes after her refusal to recommend the vaccine during a public hearing last month.
Means Aligns With Dr. Oz
“I stand with Dr. Oz’s message to Americans to take the measles vaccine,” Means wrote, referring to Dr. Mehmet Oz, the director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Last month, Dr. Oz urged Americans to “take the vaccine, please,” emphasizing that measles is a serious disease and that all eligible individuals should be protected.
Means, a Stanford-trained physician turned wellness entrepreneur, has been nominated to be the “Nation’s Doctor,” a role that involves disseminating the best scientific information to the public and communicating directly with the public, as per the Department of Health and Human Services website.
During the public hearing, when Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) asked Means whether she would encourage parents to vaccinate their children against measles, she did not give a direct answer. She said she was “absolutely supportive of the measles vaccine” but did not say whether she would personally recommend it.
MMR Vaccine Key to Outbreak Response
MS NOW stated, in her written remarks, Means also acknowledged vaccines as “a key part of infectious disease public health strategy” and cited acting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya: “The MMR vaccine remains the most reliable and effective way to prevent measles.” She added, “I view the measles outbreak as largely preventable with the MMR vaccine.”
The U.S. has seen a resurgence of measles outbreaks, prompting health officials to emphasize the importance of vaccination.
A June 2025 Stanford University study warned that at current vaccination rates, measles could become endemic again within two decades, projecting 51.2 million cases and 159,200 deaths over 25 years
Dr. Means’ reversal on the measles vaccine could potentially influence public perception and vaccination rates, especially if she is confirmed as the surgeon general.
Photo: Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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