Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb has issued a stark warning about the rising incidence of measles in the United States, following a recent interview on “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan. As of February 8, 2026, approximately 900 cases have been reported in South Carolina, marking the largest outbreak since measles was declared eliminated in the country. This surge is part of a troubling trend, with cases expected to escalate further throughout the year.
Gottlieb noted that the current vaccination rates among toddlers have declined, leading to a concerning situation as children age into school settings. According to him, the majority of those infected are between the ages of five and 17. He emphasized that this demographic is particularly vulnerable due to decreasing vaccination rates, which currently hover around 90% nationally but drop to as low as 81% in states like Alaska.
The former commissioner drew parallels to the early 1990s when vaccination rates fell to 88%, resulting in tens of thousands of cases. Gottlieb warned that as unvaccinated children enter school, the potential for larger outbreaks increases. “I think this is going to be a long cycle,” he stated, highlighting the need for renewed public health efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy.
Global Vaccine Hesitancy and Its Impact
The discussion extended beyond the United States, as Gottlieb pointed out a global trend of declining vaccination rates. Countries including Britain, Canada, and Spain have also experienced a loss of measles elimination status, largely attributed to a rising anti-vaccine movement. He suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these sentiments, as many individuals felt pressured into vaccination, leading to a backlash against vaccines.
“This has gotten embedded in political psyche in this country,” Gottlieb explained. He noted that this generational shift towards vaccine skepticism has implications not only for measles but also for other diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Outbreaks of pertussis are already being reported, indicating a broader public health crisis.
The former FDA head underscored the importance of public education regarding vaccinations, particularly the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. He stressed that measles is highly contagious and the herd immunity threshold is approximately 95%. In many communities, however, vaccination rates have fallen dramatically, with pockets reporting as low as 70%.
States like South Carolina, Texas, and Florida are currently experiencing significant outbreaks, with Arizona reporting around 250 cases and Utah seeing similar figures.
Conflicting Messages in Vaccine Policy
The conversation also touched on recent comments made by Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the NIH director, during a Senate hearing. When questioned about the link between vaccines and autism, Bhattacharya affirmed that he has not seen any studies suggesting that vaccines cause autism. However, his remarks were later clarified on social media, indicating some confusion in messaging around vaccine safety.
Gottlieb attributed this muddled communication to political influences within the current administration, particularly referencing Secretary Kennedy‘s history as an anti-vaccine advocate. He expressed concern that officials are hesitant to challenge the secretary’s views, which could hinder public health efforts.
“More officials need to step forward with clear messages,” Gottlieb urged, reiterating the importance of the MMR vaccine. He also shared his personal experience with Epstein-Barr Virus, linking it to the development of B cell lymphoma, to illustrate the potential long-term consequences of viral infections.
As the situation evolves, public health officials are faced with the challenge of addressing vaccine hesitancy while combating the resurgence of preventable diseases. The urgency for educational outreach and policy advocacy remains critical in the fight against measles and other vaccine-preventable infections.
Dr. Gottlieb’s insights underscore the necessity for a renewed commitment to vaccination as a cornerstone of public health, with the potential to protect future generations from outbreaks that could have been easily prevented.
