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Committee debates measles numbers as HHS secretary resists direct medical recommendations on vaccines

3313096 · May 14, 2025

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Summary

Members pressed Secretary Kennedy about measles cases and vaccine guidance during the hearing; the secretary declined to give direct medical advice for individuals but said the department would present risks and benefits, while members warned of recent measles deaths.

Lawmakers pressed HHS Secretary Kennedy about recent measles cases and vaccine policy during the appropriations hearing, seeking clarity about the department's public‑health stance as a measles outbreak continued.

Representative (unnamed in transcript) corrected the secretary's international comparison and asked for accuracy in those comparisons. Ranking members and other lawmakers pointed to recent measles deaths and case counts and asked whether the secretary would encourage vaccination.

Secretary Kennedy said he was not "going to give medical advice" for individuals from the hearing seat, and that the department intends to "lay out the pros and cons, the risks and benefits accurately as we understand them" and to present replicable studies for public review. He also stated that the administration was "doing a better job at CDC today than any nation in the world at controlling this measles outbreak" in response to a question about outbreak control.

Why it matters: Measles is highly contagious and requires high vaccination coverage to limit spread. Members cited reported U.S. cases and deaths and urged the department to take a clear public stance to prevent further illnesses.

Details

- Committee members cited confirmed cases and deaths; Representative Rosa DeLauro referenced three U.S. deaths in the context of the hearing and more than 1,000 confirmed infections as part of her remarks.

- Secretary Kennedy said the U.S. had about 1,100 measles cases at that time and argued case counts have plateaued; he emphasized that the department will aim to present clear, replicable information to help individuals and policymakers weigh risks and benefits.

- Committee members pressed the secretary for straightforward vaccination recommendations; Kennedy said personal medical decisions should be made with clinicians and noted the department will present evidence and guidance based on reproducible studies.

Ending

No regulatory action was issued at the hearing. Committee members asked HHS to provide clear, data‑driven guidance on vaccination and outbreak response and to ensure CDC resources are maintained for prevention and outbreak control.