NEW JERSEY — Dr. Mehmet Oz, the famed cardiothoracic surgeon and former political candidate, has stepped back into the medical spotlight with a forceful plea for vaccination.

As measles cases reach a “dire” level in several pockets across the United States, Dr. Oz warned that the resurgence of the preventable disease is a failure of public health communication.

“We are seeing a crisis that shouldn’t exist in the 21st century,” Dr. Oz noted during a press conference. His call for widespread vaccination marks a significant moment, as he seeks to bridge the gap between his conservative political base—some of whom harbor vaccine skepticism—and the scientific community.

Public health officials have lauded the effort, noting that voices like Oz’s are crucial in reaching demographics that may be wary of government mandates. The “Oz Initiative” aims to revitalize trust in childhood immunizations before the outbreak spirals into a national emergency.