After Trump order, RFK Jr. seeks input on US pediatric vaccine recommendations

Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, stated on Sunday that the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is not a lethal vaccine, despite President Trump's recent claims. In an appearance on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Oz clarified that the MMR vaccine is not lethal when administered as a single shot, contrary to the president's suggestion.

Trump had previously encouraged parents to vaccinate their children but also suggested that the MMR vaccine, if given as three separate shots, could be lethal. However, Oz emphasized that the vaccines are currently not available in the U.S. as individual shots, and that the president's comments were not supported by evidence. The CMS administrator reiterated that the administration's goal is to ensure that patients receive treatments recommended by their doctors while also respecting parents' autonomy to make decisions about their children's healthcare.

The challenge, according to Oz, is that many states have not clarified their policies on vaccine exemptions, making it difficult for parents to ask questions. The administration is advocating for states to offer exemptions based on religious beliefs or other valid reasons. The recent CDC data shows that 92.4% of kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles during the 2025-2026 school year, which is below the 95% herd immunity threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.