Cassidy says Trump needs to be "radically honest" on vaccines amid measles outbreak, tell me about this news in (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bill-cassidy-trump-vaccines-measles/)

In the CBS News report, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who is also a physician and chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, publicly urged President Donald Trump to practice “radical honesty” regarding vaccines amid the worst measles outbreak the United States has seen in more than three decades.

Key points from the report include:

• Cassidy’s Warning: Speaking on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Cassidy stressed that the public listens closely to the president. He warned that if Trump discourages immunization, vaccination rates will decline, leading to more hospitalizations and preventable deaths.

• Trump’s Recent Comments: While the Trump administration had been promoting vaccination in response to rising measles cases, Trump made public statements questioning the safety and schedule of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. He signed an executive order suggesting the shots should be separated, claimed without evidence that the combined MMR shot could be “lethal,” and announced plans to push pharmaceutical companies to break childhood vaccines into smaller, separated doses spaced over six-month intervals.

• Pushback from a Physician’s Perspective: Cassidy challenged Trump to provide the medical basis for his claims, asking who is advising him and whether there is any evidence of the MMR vaccine being lethal. Cassidy reaffirmed that vaccines are safe, proven, and that the current schedule is designed for parental convenience and public protection.

• Public Health Impact: Cassidy compared refusing vaccination during an outbreak to drunk driving, noting that choosing not to vaccinate puts vulnerable people at risk, including infants in neonatal intensive care units. He highlighted recent measles fatalities to emphasize that the disease is not victimless.

• Senate Confirmations: Ahead of confirmation hearings for administration health nomineesincluding Heidi Overton for FDA commissionerCassidy stated nominees must acknowledge that calling the MMR vaccine “lethal” is absurd and commit to scientific transparency. He noted that surgeon general nominee Nicole Saphier had already confirmed during her hearing that the vaccine is not lethal, earning his support.