The “V” Word

In early 2025, a child died from measles—the first measles death in more than 20 years. Thirteen months later, a public health official finally said the “V” word?

On February 14^th, 2025, one day after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services, an unvaccinated 6-year-old girl in West Texas died from measles. The following day, in a meeting at the White House, RFK Jr. declared that measles outbreaks were “not unusual.” Nothing to worry about here, he argued, even though measles had been eliminated from the US in 2000. RFK Jr. never mentioned the measles vaccine, which had been available since 1963.

The virus then spread to several other states; hundreds of children were infected. Still, RFK Jr. refused to recommend the measles vaccine saying that it was a “personal decision,” and that parents should do their own research to make an informed choice. Ironic, given that during his 20 years as an anti-vaccine activist, RFK Jr. had done much to misinform them.

Two weeks later, on April 3^rd, 2025, another child died from measles—this time an unvaccinated 8-year-old girl. Again, the nation’s #1 public health official refused to say the “V” word. By the end of 2025, more than 2,200 children had suffered from measles. In the first two months of 2026, 1,100 more children suffered. RFK Jr. still refused to talk about the critical importance of vaccination.

RFK Jr. wasn’t alone. Marty Makary, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), also said nothing. The difference between RFK Jr. and these other two public health officials is that RFK Jr. was a personal-injury lawyer; both Makary and Bhattacharya were doctors. Still neither were willing to clearly and definitively recommend the measles vaccine.

On February 26, 2026, one year after the first child had died from measles, Casey Means, RFK Jr.’s pick to be the United States Surgeon General, testified before a Senate confirmation hearing. Senator William Cassidy (R, LA) asked Means if she would encourage mothers to vaccinate their children with the measles vaccine, noting the large number of cases in the South. “I’m supportive of vaccination,” said Means. “I do believe that each patient, mother, parent needs to have a conversation about any medication they’re putting in their body or their children’s body.” Means was lobbying for the job of “America’s Top Doctor”; still, she just couldn’t say it. She couldn’t say that the measles vaccine was the only way to prevent this potentially deadly infection. She couldn’t say the “V” word.

Senator Cassidy, surprised by her answer, gave Means a second chance. “You’re the nation’s doctor,” said Cassidy. “Would you encourage [a mother] to have her child vaccinated!” “I’m not an individual’s doctor,” Means demurred. “And every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting a medication in their body.” Means was playing to her audience of one. In RFK Jr.’s America, vaccines were a dirty word.

On March 5, 2026, about 13 months after the first child had died from measles, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya made the first public service announcement about the measles outbreaks. Bhattacharya, in addition to heading NIH, was now the interim director of the CDC. Would he say the “V” word?

“I want to describe how the CDC is responding to rising measles cases in the United States,” he began. “Our mission is straightforward, to protect the American people from infectious diseases and chronic diseases. To ground our scientific guidance in rigorous transparency and to serve as a credible source of information.” Still nothing about vaccines.

“Trust is the foundation of public health earned by openness, honesty and guidance to the best available evidence. As we work with partners across the country to contain measles, I can assure you we’re listening and we’re here to offer a wide range of tools to state and local health departments.” Still waiting.

“The CDC continues to surge resources to support your prevention and response efforts. We’re working closely with health officials throughout the country with regular coordination meetings and we stand ready to provide CDC technical staff, laboratory support, vaccines, and therapeutics upon request.” (Therapeutics for measles?) Still, no clear statement about the critical importance of vaccines.

“State partners are also engaging faith-based leaders to support education and vaccination outreach within their communities. There is no cure for measles, which is why prevention is so critical. The MMR vaccine remains the most reliable and effective way to prevent it.” And there it was. One minute and 13 seconds into the first public service announcement about the ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States, a leading public health official made a clear recommendation supporting measles vaccines. Bhattacharya didn’t stop there.

“Two doses are 97 percent effective at providing lifelong protection against measles and its complications. Vaccination protects not only individuals but entire communities.” Finally, a public health recommendation by a public health leader. A headline in the New York Times read, “CDC’s New Acting Director Draws Unexpected Praise From Agency Staff.”

We are now joyous that a public health official actually recommended the measles vaccine during a measles outbreak greater than anything we’ve seen in more than 30 years—ecstatic that a public health official finally stated the obvious. It’s hard to know whether we should praise Bhattacharya’s public service announcement or lament how low our expectations have fallen for public health officials.