Health
Dr. Mehmet Oz says MMR vaccine is not lethal, addressing Donald Trump's claims
The CMS administrator affirmed the safety of the combined measles shot while emphasizing parental choice as vaccination rates fall below herd immunity levels.
The short version
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz publicly clarified that the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is not lethal.
- Oz's statement follows remarks by President Donald Trump during an executive order signing, where Trump suggested without evidence that the combined formulation could be lethal and proposed separating the doses.
- The remarks coincide with CDC data showing U.S. kindergarten measles vaccination rates dropping to 92.4%, falling short of the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.
- MMR vaccines are currently unavailable as separate shots in the United States, leaving it uncertain how state policies and vaccine availability might adapt to the administration's stance on parental exemptions and separated doses.
Key facts
- CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stated that the MMR vaccine is not lethal during an interview on Face the Nation.[CBS News]
- President Donald Trump signed an executive order suggesting the MMR vaccine be administered as three individual shots, claiming without evidence that the combined vaccine could be lethal.[CBS News]
- The MMR vaccine is only available as a combined shot on the U.S. market, though Oz noted separate shots exist in other countries.[CBS News]
- CDC figures for the 2025–2026 school year show kindergarten measles vaccination rates fell to 92.4%, below the 95% herd immunity threshold.[CBS News]
- Oz stated that the administration seeks to ensure states provide vaccine exemptions for religious or other reasons while supporting parental autonomy.[CBS News]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unclear whether or when separated measles, mumps, and rubella shots will be approved or made commercially available in the United States.[CBS News]
- How state health departments will respond to federal executive guidance regarding vaccination rules and exemptions is not yet determined.[CBS News]