The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is under fire after a recent spike in measles cases led to 12 deaths across three states—a figure the agency says is the highest in a decade. Critics argue that delayed vaccine outreach, insufficient funding for outbreak investigations, and mixed messaging have hampered containment efforts. In a press briefing, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky defended the response, citing “rapid deployment of mobile vaccination units” and “enhanced surveillance.” Yet public health experts warn that the agency’s credibility is at risk if it cannot restore confidence in its ability to manage preventable disease outbreaks, especially as new variants of other pathogens emerge.
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