Measles Resurgence in the U.S. and CDC’s Stance
Measles is making a concerning return in the United States, and it seems the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is trying to shift the blame away from itself.
In a recent piece for the Wall Street Journal, Ralph Abraham, the CDC’s principal deputy director, responded to critics of the government’s handling of measles outbreaks since last year. He suggested that the resurgence of measles isn’t purely an American issue because other nations are facing similar situations. However, it’s worth noting that public health policies here are currently influenced by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longstanding opponent of vaccines.
“Describing measles as an American policy failure is misleading,” Abraham claimed.
Shifting the Narrative
Abraham pointed out that measles isn’t exclusive to the U.S.; many regions around the globe continue to see cases. Countries like Canada and the UK have also faced recent flare-ups. Yet, this context doesn’t erase the shortcomings within the U.S. itself.
Since January 2025, measles has spread extensively, with over 2,220 cases reported last year, marking the highest number in over 30 years. Cases have been recorded in 45 states, primarily stemming from 49 different outbreaks. The largest outbreak last year was in Western Texas, but it has since been overtaken by a significant outbreak in South Carolina, now totaling 847 cases. Tragically, three individuals have died from measles in the U.S. since the beginning of 2025, and many more have been hospitalized. The country is on the verge of losing its measles-free status.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, yet it can be prevented through vaccination. The drop in vaccination rates has allowed measles to gain a stronger presence in the U.S. and elsewhere. However, the current administration under RFK Jr. is reluctant to acknowledge this.
In his editorial, Abraham even questioned the efficacy of the measles vaccine, referencing a report from Colorado and CDC officials that examined a measles outbreak linked to an airline traveler. He noted that among the nine cases tied to the initial patient, four were fully vaccinated.
While it’s true that measles vaccination isn’t 100% effective (hovering around 97% with the full series), the majority of cases in that outbreak were among unvaccinated individuals. Additionally, those who were vaccinated reported milder symptoms, and only three unvaccinated cases, along with one individual with an unknown vaccination history, were hospitalized.
“This outbreak underscores the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date, especially for travelers,” the report’s authors emphasized.
CDC data also supports the importance of vaccinations, revealing that approximately 93% of measles cases documented since last year have occurred among unvaccinated people or those with unknown vaccination histories, while merely 4% involved fully vaccinated individuals.
RFK Jr.’s Leadership and Public Health
Abraham asserts that under RFK Jr.’s leadership, the U.S. is setting a global public health benchmark, though that claim feels somewhat unconvincing given Kennedy’s history.
Since last year, RFK Jr. and his supporters have restricted access to various vaccines, slashed the CDC workforce, and dismissed senior officials who didn’t align with his anti-vaccine stance. Notably, during the Texas measles outbreak, he promoted unproven treatments like cod liver oil, which may have endangered children.
Last month, Kennedy succeeded in significantly shortening the childhood vaccination schedule and has placed allies who share his vaccine skepticism in key health positions. Abraham himself has a track record of supporting vaccine hesitancy from his time as Louisiana’s surgeon general.
Declining vaccination rates for measles and other diseases existed before Kennedy took office and can’t be solely attributed to anti-vaccine sentiment, as access to healthcare plays a role too. Still, there’s little in the current era of public health under RFK Jr. that instills much confidence in addressing measles effectively.
