Leana Wen: CDC Should Be Reiterating that Vaccines Are Safe, Effective, Life Saving

EXCERPT:

WEN: “Well, we're in the middle of a measles outbreak. In fact, we have had in 2026 alone more than 30 outbreaks in 47 states here in the U.S., We're reaching more than 2900 cases of measles, and these numbers are rising as the number people, the number of children getting vaccines is decreasing. And so when the CDC or any public health agency sees these numbers, they should be raising awareness. They should be reiterating that vaccines are safe, effective, life saving. They should be talking about the importance of vaccines for protecting yourself, protecting your children as well as other vulnerable people. And especially with back to school, this is the best opportunity to ensure that kids are vaccinated. So it's highly unusual, highly unfortunate, but thankfully there are medical organizations. There are pediatrician groups. There are individual medical providers and states that are stepping into the void. But of course, that's not enough. And I think brings a lot of confusion when there are differences between what's being said on the federal level versus the states.”