WASHINGTON
A top U.S. health official made an urgent appeal Sunday for Americans to get vaccinated against measles as outbreaks spread across several states, threatening the country’s status as having eliminated the disease.
“Take the vaccine, please,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We have a safe and effective tool to stop this.”
Her plea comes amid a significant rise in measles cases linked to declining childhood vaccination rates and increased global travel. The CDC has confirmed cases in multiple states, primarily among unvaccinated individuals.
Cohen directly addressed public concerns and misinformation surrounding vaccines, reiterating their safety and critical role in public health.
“The measles vaccine is one of the most studied and effective medical interventions we have,” Cohen told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “When vaccination rates drop, this dangerous and highly contagious disease returns. Protecting our communities, especially our children, is paramount.”
By James Kisoo
