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Acting CDC Chief Emphasizes MMR Vaccine as Best Measles Protection

Monday, March 2, 2026 at 2:18 PM

Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya reinforced Monday that the MMR vaccine is the most effective defense against measles as cases continue to rise nationwide. The agency is mobilizing resources to help health departments combat the spread of the highly contagious disease.

The interim head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized Monday that vaccination remains the strongest defense against measles as the nation grapples with rising case numbers.

Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya stressed the importance of the MMR vaccination in a video message shared on social media platform X. “There is no cure for measles, which is why prevention is so critical,” Bhattacharya stated. “The MMR vaccine remains the most reliable and effective way to prevent it.”

The health official announced that the CDC is deploying additional resources to assist prevention and response initiatives nationwide, while maintaining regular communication with state and local health departments.

“We stand ready to provide CDC technical staff, laboratory support, vaccines and therapeutics upon request,” he explained in the video message.

According to the most recent CDC statistics, health officials documented 1,136 confirmed measles infections across the United States through February 26, 2026.

Bhattacharya assumed the interim CDC leadership role in February while simultaneously serving as director of the National Institutes of Health.

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