On Sunday, February 8, Dr. Mehmet Oz, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator, urged people to get the measles vaccine. This comes in conflict with previous statements made by RFK Jr. about vaccines. RFK Jr. has made many statements calling for the slowing down of vaccines that are given out over the last decade and most recently, as HHS secretary, he altered the vaccine schedule mandated for children. It now includes less mandated vaccines.

The measles outbreak in South Carolina has affected hundreds of individuals. Children have primarily been infected and growing public opinion including from infectious disease experts is that growing distrust in vaccines may be a large component. More individuals are postponing or simply not giving their children vaccines which could be a big part of the reason for this rise in measles cases. According to Dr. Oz, “There will never be a barrier to Americans get access to the measles vaccine. And it is part of the core schedule,” So while the prospective schedule for children’s vaccines may change, not much of what parents are actually being allowed to enable their kids from having access to will change. Thus, giving freedom to parents to decide what is right for their children.