As a physician who recently retired from representing Indiana in Congress, I have closely followed the evolving national discourse around vaccines with concern. Since late January, a measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico has led to more than 1,000 confirmed cases of the disease in 30 states.

This outbreak comes at a pivotal moment for public health, one that demands thoughtful reflection on the history and efficacy of vaccines and how we communicate about them and science more broadly in our communities.

Take away the news headlines and the social media debates, and one truth remains: Vaccines save lives. They are among the most powerful tools in medicine, and have for decades prevented disease, reduced suffering and protected communities – full stop. Their benefits far outweigh the rare side effects, and American innovation has paved the way for these achievements.

The numbers speak for themselves. Vaccinations through the federal Vaccines for Children program........

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