In a shocking revelation, internal records reviewed by ProPublica indicate that leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently decided not to publish an assessment highlighting the high risk of measles outbreaks in areas with low vaccination rates.

This decision has sparked outrage from health experts and raised concerns about the agency's transparency, especially as measles cases have surged to alarming levels across the United States.

The internal documents reveal that the CDC had intended to use this crucial assessment to stress the importance of vaccinations against the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.

As of recent reports, measles has spread to 19 states, with confirmed cases rising to 483—an underscoring of the urgency for targeted public health messaging.

A spokesperson for the CDC claimed that the decision not to release the assessment stemmed from its redundancy, suggesting that the public is already aware of vaccination importance.

However, the spokesperson's comment also reflects a troubling shift in the CDC's long-established position on vaccination—a shift that aligns disturbingly with the views of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance.

Kennedy's recent remarks—that the decision to vaccinate is highly personal and should be made after consultation with healthcare providers—have drawn significant criticism from public health experts.

Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health, expressed her dismay at this new messaging, emphasizing that the urgency surrounding measles outbreaks should not make vaccination seem like a gamble.

"More cases have already been reported in 2025 than in 2024, with measles spreading to multiple states," Nuzzo stated. "It's not a coin toss; the data calls for immediate action."

Historically, the CDC’s communications have vigorously advocated for vaccinations, outlining their necessity in campaigns aimed at public awareness, such as “Get My Flu Shot.”

The agency’s shift in tone raises red flags, especially as it plans to eliminate 2,400 jobs within the CDC—a move that many see as a signal of its dwindling capacity to prioritize public health.

The CDC's risk assessment, which was conducted by its newly-established Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, categorized the risk of measles as elevated in communities with low vaccination rates, especially those linked to outbreak areas.

Despite this alarming finding, the agency opted to withhold the data from the public, a decision regarded as “not normal” by staff deeply concerned about their agency’s direction under Kennedy’s leadership.

The implications of this decision stretch beyond administrative policies.

Many parents are stocking up on vitamin A, spurred on by claims made by Kennedy about its role in treating measles—claims that have been fervently denied by medical professionals, who emphasize that vaccination is the sole reliable prevention method.

Furthermore, Texas health officials have warned that the Trump administration's recent rescindment of $11 billion in pandemic-related grants is hampering their ability to control the outbreak.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humanity, capable of leading to severe health complications.

The stark reality is that roughly 20% of unvaccinated individuals who contract measles will require hospitalization, and 1 to 3 in every 1,000 will die from resultant complications.

As the CDC struggles with internal turmoil and shifts in public health messaging, the urgent need for robust vaccination campaigns and clear communication about the risks of measles cannot be overstated.

Will the agency regain its footing and take decisive action to protect public health, or will it continue to falter amid political pressures? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the stakes are higher than ever.