Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provided a stark warning about the escalating measles outbreak in the United States during an interview on “Face the Nation” on February 8, 2026. With reported cases reaching approximately 900 in South Carolina alone, the situation marks the largest outbreak since measles was declared eliminated in the country.
In the interview, Gottlieb highlighted the concerning trend of declining vaccination rates among school-age children, particularly those between the ages of five and seventeen. “Last year, we had 2,000 cases of measles; this year, so far, we have 750 reported cases,” he noted, indicating that the numbers are likely to rise significantly by the end of the year. He attributed this increase to a broader movement against pediatric vaccinations, particularly among toddlers, which could lead to larger outbreaks as these children enter school environments.
Gottlieb reflected on historical data, recalling that in the early 1990s, there were around 25,000 cases of measles in 1991. By 1992, that number decreased to 10,000, largely due to vaccination rates which had dipped to 88% of American children vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Currently, the vaccination rate stands at about 90%, but in states experiencing outbreaks, such as Alaska, the rate has plummeted to as low as 81%. Gottlieb warned, “As these children who aren’t getting vaccinated age into school age settings, they’re going to start spreading broader and larger outbreaks.”
The former FDA commissioner pointed out that the global anti-vaccine movement is contributing to the resurgence of measles not just in the United States, but also in countries like Britain, Canada, and Spain, which have lost their measles elimination status. He attributed part of this shift to the COVID-19 pandemic, where public pressure to receive vaccines led to a backlash against vaccination in general. “This has gotten embedded in the political psyche in this country,” he stated, describing it as a “generational change.”
During the discussion, Gottlieb also referenced a recent hearing involving Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), who affirmed under oath that vaccines do not cause autism. “There is a lot of muddled messaging,” Gottlieb explained, attributing this confusion to political influences within the Department of Health and Human Services. He expressed concern that the current administration’s policies could further legitimize anti-vaccine rhetoric.
Gottlieb’s personal experience with viral infections and their long-term health implications underscored his points regarding the seriousness of vaccination. He spoke candidly about his battle with Epstein-Barr Virus, which led to the development of B cell lymphoma. He emphasized the real risks associated with viral infections, countering the notion that such infections are not significant. “Viruses do have long-term sequela,” he remarked, urging the public to understand the importance of vaccinations.
As the conversation wrapped up, Gottlieb reiterated the critical need for public education on vaccines, particularly the MMR vaccine, stressing that measles is highly contagious and that community vaccination rates must reach about 95% to achieve herd immunity. With outbreaks reported in states like Florida, Texas, Utah, and Arizona, Gottlieb’s insights underscore the urgent need for action to prevent a wider public health crisis.
