Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz sought to clarify President Donald Trump’s comments about the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine while defending greater parental choice over childhood immunizations.

Oz Says MMR Vaccine Is Not ‘Lethal‘

On Sunday, Oz appeared on CBS’ "Face the Nation," where host Margaret Brennan repeatedly pressed him to clarify Trump’s claim that combining the three vaccines could be "quite lethal." Trump has advocated giving the vaccines separately.

Oz initially emphasized parental autonomy, saying, "We want patients to get the treatments that their doctors are recommending to them, but we also want parents to have the autonomy to decide what their kids receive."

Brennan pressed Oz specifically on Trump’s use of the word "lethal."

After several questions, Oz directly responded: "No, the MMR vaccine is not a lethal vaccine."

Oz Supports Vaccine Choice

Oz defended the administration’s push for greater flexibility, saying, "The president wants Americans … to get vaccinated as their doctors recommend, as long as they have a choice in the matter."

Last week, CDC data showed that 92.4% of U.S. kindergartners received the MMR vaccine during the 2025-26 school year, down from the previous year.

Read Also: Dr. Mehmet Oz Says 'Take The Vaccine' As Measles Outbreaks Surge Nationwide

Trump Changes Vaccine Rules

Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order that narrowed federal recommendations for universal childhood vaccination to 11 core vaccines and called for greater alignment with other developed countries.

The order also directed HHS to explore separate measles, mumps and rubella shots, review vaccination schedules and strengthen vaccine safety monitoring.

Merck & Co Inc. (NYSE:MRK) M-M-R II and ProQuad, GSK PLC (NYSE:GSK) Priorix, and Sanofi SA (NASDAQ:SNY) Vaxelis could potentially be affected by these changes.

Merck said it remained committed to "rigorous, evidence-based science" and that there was no published evidence showing a benefit from splitting the MMR vaccine into three shots.

Lawmakers Challenge Trump’s Vaccine Policy

Senate Health Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) criticized FDA nominee Dr. Heidi Overton’s role in Trump’s vaccine executive order, calling it "almost disqualifying" and questioning her commitment to "sound science and protecting children’s health."

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also attacked Trump’s vaccine remarks as "the ramblings of an insane person" and urged parents not to follow vaccine advice from Trump or Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Schumer said such comments contributed to rising measles cases.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Read Also: Trump Advises Parents To Split Vaccines, Delay Hepatitis B Shots Until Age 12: 'This Is Based On What I Feel'

Image via Shutterstock/ G Holland