Surgeon General nominee Casey Means has clarified that she believes people should get vaccinated for measles, walking back her previous refusal to broadly endorse vaccination during her Senate confirmation hearing last month.
Means, whose nomination to serve as the nation's top doctor drew bipartisan criticism after she sidestepped questions about vaccine endorsements, told senators in written responses that she agreed with 'Dr. Oz's message to Americans to take the measles vaccine,' according to reports from MS NOW.
At her Feb. 25 confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Means told lawmakers that she was 'supportive of vaccination' but refused to go further, saying each parent should have a conversation with their pediatrician. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) pressed her specifically on whether she would encourage mothers to vaccinate their children against measles.
The clarification comes as the United States faces a significant measles resurgence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 1,362 cases across 31 states as of March 12, 2026, with 14 new outbreaks reported. An ongoing outbreak in South Carolina has grown to nearly 1,000 cases, surpassing last year's West Texas outbreak to become the largest in the U.S. since the start of the century.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative Republicans have largely defended Means, arguing that she is simply emphasizing parental rights and informed decision-making. Some supporters in the party have echoed concerns about government overreach in medical decisions, a stance that has resonated with portions of the GOP base.
In her written responses, Means noted that she viewed the measles outbreak 'as largely preventable with the MMR vaccine' and quoted acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya's assessment that the vaccine 'remains the most reliable and effective way' to prevent the disease. Republicans have pointed to this alignment with CDC leadership as evidence of her commitment to science-based policy.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and public health advocates have expressed concern about Means's initial stance, arguing that a Surgeon General must be unambiguous in promoting vaccination, particularly during disease outbreaks. Several Democratic senators questioned whether Means could effectively lead public health messaging if she would not clearly endorse vaccines.
Public health organizations have emphasized that herd immunity requires high vaccination rates, and ambiguous messaging from top health officials could undermine decades of progress in eliminating preventable diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups have consistently urged clear, strong endorsements of routine immunization.
What the Numbers Show
The CDC has confirmed 1,362 measles cases across 31 states as of March 12, 2026. There have been 14 reported new outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases.
The South Carolina outbreak has grown to nearly 1,000 cases, surpassing the number of cases recorded in West Texas last year. This makes it the largest measles outbreak in the United States since the start of the century.
The U.S. is on the verge of losing its measles elimination status after more than two decades. The CDC reports that the country met the typical criteria of 12 months of consistent spread on Jan. 20, 2026 — a milestone that health officials have called significant.
The Bottom Line
Means's clarification brings her position in line with the Trump administration's official messaging on vaccination, as CMS Administrator Dr. Oz has actively encouraged Americans to get vaccinated against measles. The Senate HELP Committee is expected to vote on her nomination in the coming weeks.
The measles outbreak continues to escalate, with health officials monitoring whether the U.S. will formally lose its elimination status. Means's confirmation hearing highlighted the political sensitivities around vaccine messaging, as both parties seek to balance public health recommendations with differing views on parental autonomy and government health guidance.