HHS Deputy Nominee Affirms MMR Vaccine as Primary Defense Amid Record Measles Surge

Chris Klomp, President Donald Trump’s nominee for deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, told senators Tuesday that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine remains the nation’s strongest defense against an outbreak that has produced the highest annual case count since 1991.

“Unquestionably, the MMR vaccine is the single most effective public health tool that we have against measles,” Klomp stated during his Senate Finance Committee hearing, according to MedPage Today. He cited 97% effectiveness after two doses and called vaccination “the single best thing that we can do” against the disease.

The testimony arrives as families in affected areas navigate daily decisions about school, child care, and medical visits. It also follows an August executive order from President Trump directing the development of separate shots for each MMR component once such products become available—a move several senators warned could sow confusion among parents.

A Clear Vaccine Message, with Caveats

Klomp has served as HHS chief counselor since February and has directed the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services since April 2025. When questioned about autism, he said the evidence he has reviewed does not support a link between the MMR vaccine and the condition. He added that the causes of autism remain unknown and that this gap “should concern us greatly.”

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the committee’s ranking Democrat, said Klomp’s responses would leave the public confused and announced his opposition to the nomination. Committee Chairman Mike Crapo of Idaho countered that Klomp had met all vetting standards and was well qualified for the position.

Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire pressed Klomp on the August executive order regarding childhood vaccines, asking whether parents should defer to their physicians’ guidance. Klomp did not answer directly, stating the department must conduct research to inform parents on what is most effective and transparent. According to Politico, he also characterized the outbreak response as “an absolute top priority” for the department and urged parents to consult their children’s pediatricians.

Addressing a claim that the vaccine contains fetal tissue, Klomp said he was not a vaccine expert but did not believe the current MMR shot contains it, Politico reported. The American Academy of Pediatrics has confirmed that no fetal tissue remains in vaccines produced today.

The deputy secretary role, while less visible than the secretary’s, carries broad operational authority across HHS, including the CDC, FDA, NIH, and CMS. Klomp’s views could therefore shape how federal agencies communicate with families during outbreaks.

Klomp appeared before the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday for a second, courtesy hearing. His nomination still requires a Finance Committee vote and confirmation by the full Senate; his testimony does not alter official vaccine recommendations.

Record Case Counts Behind the Testimony

The CDC’s measles tracker reports 3,294 confirmed cases nationwide as of September 10, compared with 2,289 for all of 2025. Cases have been identified in 47 jurisdictions, including New York City, California, Texas, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Approximately 95% of this year’s cases are linked to outbreaks, with the agency recording 38 new outbreaks in 2026.

Pennsylvania bears the heaviest burden. The state has reported 693 cases across 38 counties, 133 hospitalizations, and four measles-associated deaths, all announced since late August. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said the two most recent deaths, in Jefferson and Mifflin counties, involved unvaccinated residents. The CDC notes that national death records do not yet show any 2026 deaths with measles as the underlying cause, and the agency is coordinating with state epidemiologists on a standardized definition for measles fatalities.

Declining vaccination rates help explain the spread. CDC data show MMR coverage among kindergartners fell from 95.2% in the 2019–2020 school year to 92.4% in the 2025–2026 school year, leaving roughly 280,000 kindergartners vulnerable. Local rates often dip far below state averages, allowing a single case to spread rapidly through a school.

Klomp also highlighted a global trend, telling Wyden that vaccination rates are declining worldwide, not just in the United States, as reported by CNN. The CDC says measles is imported into the country annually by travelers, typically unvaccinated U.S. residents infected abroad.

Families Most at Risk and Steps to Take Now

Unvaccinated children face the greatest danger, along with infants too young for their first dose, pregnant individuals without immunity, and people with compromised immune systems. Adults are not exempt; Pennsylvania’s recent fatalities included a 40-year-old woman with serious lung disease and an 18-year-old who developed a rare inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Measles typically begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed days later by a rash that starts on the face. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms after a potential exposure should contact a doctor, urgent care center, or health department before arriving so staff can protect others in the waiting area. Difficulty breathing, confusion, seizures, or signs of dehydration require emergency care.

Parents can verify vaccine records through their pediatrician or state immunization registry. The CDC recommends two doses for children, usually administered at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years. One dose is about 93% effective; two doses raise protection to 97%. Adults uncertain of their status can request a blood test or an additional dose from a clinician.

Cost should not be a barrier for most families. The federal Vaccines for Children program provides the MMR vaccine at no cost to eligible children, and county health departments and community health centers offer shots to uninsured residents. International travelers should ensure they are protected at least two weeks before departure.

Current CDC guidance continues to recommend the combined two-dose MMR series. Parents with questions about the executive order should consult their child’s clinician before delaying any dose, as a gap in protection during an active outbreak carries significant risk.

The CDC updates its national measles count weekly.

Key Questions Answered

What did Chris Klomp say about the MMR vaccine?

At his September 15 Senate Finance Committee hearing, Klomp called the MMR vaccine the single most effective public health tool against measles and cited 97% effectiveness after two doses. He also stated he does not believe MMR vaccines cause autism.

Is Klomp now the deputy HHS secretary?

No. He is a nominee. The Senate Finance Committee must vote on his nomination, and the full Senate must confirm him before he can assume the role.

Does his testimony change vaccine recommendations?

No. CDC guidance still recommends two MMR doses for children, typically at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years.

How many measles cases has the U.S. reported this year?

The CDC reports 3,294 confirmed cases as of September 10, 2026, up from 2,289 in all of 2025. Pennsylvania has reported 693 cases and four measles-associated deaths.

Who faces the highest risk from measles?

Unvaccinated children, infants too young to be vaccinated, pregnant people without immunity, and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk of serious illness.

Where can families get the MMR vaccine at low or no cost?

Eligible children can receive it free through the Vaccines for Children program. County health departments and community health centers also offer vaccines to uninsured residents.

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