NIH Director Bhattacharya backs childhood vaccines amid measles surge
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya says "I trust the science" on vaccines as measles cases hit 35-year highs, contrasting with previous hesitancy from HHS leadership.
Conversation activity · last 24 hours peak 3/hr
Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 4 items across 3 sources · 3h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya stated on CBS's "Face the Nation" that he trusts vaccine science and strongly recommends childhood vaccinations, particularly for measles, as cases have risen to their highest levels in 35 years. His comments come amid reports of a White House executive order on vaccines and autism, and follow previous vaccine-skeptical statements from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has now also endorsed measles vaccination.
- Measles cases have reached their highest levels in 35 years, with only 10 states meeting the 95% vaccination coverage threshold needed for herd immunity.
- Dr. Bhattacharya, NIH director and acting CDC director, publicly endorsed childhood vaccines and stated he trusts vaccine science, positioning himself against previous hesitancy in the Trump administration.
- The White House is drafting an executive order on childhood vaccines and autism, signaling vaccine policy remains contested within the current administration.
- Bhattacharya criticized fearmongering about unvaccinated children in schools as damaging to public health trust, drawing lessons from COVID-19 pandemic messaging.
How it unfolded
-
Report Measles cases reach 35-year high; vaccination coverage inadequate
Measles cases have risen to their highest levels in 35 years. Only 10 states had measles vaccination coverage among kindergarteners above the 95% herd immunity threshold during the 2024-2025 school year.
-
Event Bhattacharya tells "Face the Nation" he trusts vaccine science
Dr. Bhattacharya appeared on CBS's "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" and stated he trusts the science on vaccines, recommends vaccination for measles, DTP, and other standard childhood vaccines, and said he has vaccinated his own children.
“I trust the science on vaccines”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya · Press ↗ -
Reaction Bhattacharya critiques fearmongering about unvaccinated children
Bhattacharya argued against fearmongering around unvaccinated children in schools, calling it a "tremendous mistake" that contributes to loss of public trust, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“it is a mistake, and it contributes to lack of public trust if you sort of fearmonger around, 'Oh, if you send your kids to school, well, you might be around unvaccinated kids.'”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya · Press ↗ -
Report White House drafting executive order on vaccines and autism
Reports indicate the White House is drafting an executive order on childhood vaccines and autism. Bhattacharya deferred details but noted the president and HHS secretary care "deeply" about rising autism rates.
-
Event RFK Jr. endorses measles vaccination on CNN
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared a message on CNN last week that parents should get their children vaccinated against measles, reversing previous vaccine-skeptical positions.
- 26 weeks quiet
-
Event Bhattacharya acts as CDC director, recommends South Carolina measles vaccination
Dr. Bhattacharya, serving as acting CDC director, went on camera to recommend vaccination as the best way to end the measles outbreak in South Carolina. The outbreak subsequently ended.
What people are saying verbatim
“I trust the science on vaccines”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director · CBS News ↗ · Aug 8
“I think that parents, for most kids, especially for the measles vaccines, the DTP, all the standard childhood vaccines, it's very important that parents vaccinate their kids”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director · Face the Nation ↗ · Aug 8
“I'm giving my recommendation — I've vaccinated my kids.”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director · Face the Nation ↗ · Aug 8
“That's a tremendous mistake. You vaccinate your kids, you can protect your kids from those risks, whatever they are.”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director · Face the Nation ↗ · Aug 8
“The best way to protect your kids from measles is to get the vaccine for measles.”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director · Face the Nation ↗ · Aug 8
“the outbreak has now ended in South Carolina in part because of that”
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director · CBS News ↗ · Aug 8