Bhattacharya says "I trust the science" on childhood vaccines

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, acting director of the National Institutes of Health, expressed confidence in the scientific consensus regarding childhood vaccines during an appearance on Face the Nation. He emphasized that parents should vaccinate their children against preventable diseases like measles, DTP, and others. Bhattacharya, who has vaccinated his own children, stressed the importance of children attending school rather than avoiding it due to vaccine fears, as doing so could undermine public trust in health institutions.

He pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of the consequences of such fear-mongering. According to the CDC, only 10 states had measles coverage rates above the 95% threshold for herd immunity during the 2024-2025 school year, with measles cases rising to their highest levels in 35 years. Bhattacharya reiterated his stance that the best way to protect children from measles is through vaccination.

He noted that he had taken steps as acting CDC director to address measles outbreaks in specific states, such as South Carolina. Bhattacharya also addressed the White House's potential executive order on childhood vaccines and autism, acknowledging the complexity of the issue and the need for scientific inquiry without political interference.