Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says vaccine exemptions allowed by some states are enabling outbreaks which pose national dangers.
Washington state - the starting point for a measles outbreak that's now infected 67 people in 4 states - allows parents to opt out for personal or philosophical reasons.
Experts say America's past vaccination success gives some families a false sense of security.
"There is a complacency that these 'one-time' diseases are no longer around or that they were never severe in the first place. And I think, because of that, parents are more reluctant to vaccinate their kids, and I think we're starting to see some of the adverse effects of that," said Dr. Camille Sabella, Cleveland Clinic.
A number of states - including Washington - are now debating tighter restrictions on vaccine exemptions.
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