US National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is calling on parents to keep their children up to date on routine vaccinations as the country confronts its highest number of measles cases in 35 years. Bhattacharya, who is also temporarily helping oversee the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized that vaccination remains a key defense against diseases that can be prevented through immunization.
Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Bhattacharya encouraged families to follow the recommended childhood vaccination schedule. He specifically highlighted the measles vaccine and the DTP series, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. He also said he had vaccinated his own children, pointing to his confidence in routine childhood immunization.
The comments come as health officials face renewed concerns about declining vaccination coverage across parts of the United States. During the interview, CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan pointed out that the country’s measles caseload has climbed to its highest level in three and a half decades.
Health officials generally consider a vaccination rate of at least 95% important for limiting sustained measles transmission. However, only 10 states have reached that benchmark, according to the figures discussed during the interview. The gap has raised concerns about the possibility of additional outbreaks, particularly in communities where immunization levels are lower.
Bhattacharya said health authorities have made progress in containing measles activity in several states, including South Carolina, Texas, Arizona and Utah. He added that infections in Virginia were moving downward. At the same time, he warned that some communities in Pennsylvania continue to face elevated risks.
The NIH director also connected lower vaccination rates to a broader decline in public confidence in health authorities following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bhattacharya, restoring that confidence is now an important objective for federal health agencies.
His remarks underscore the continuing challenge for US health officials: encouraging routine vaccination while rebuilding public trust. With measles spreading more easily in under-immunized communities, officials are emphasizing preventive care and timely childhood immunization as essential tools for protecting children and limiting future outbreaks.
