The health secretary has chipped away at the idea that immunizing children against measles and other diseases is a public health good.

© Niki Chan Wylie for The New York Times

In an interview with CBS, the health secretary also suggested he wasn’t familiar with massive cuts to state funding for public health.

© Ash Ponders for The New York Times

The health secretary’s announcement came on the first day of a tour through the Southwest to showcase nutrition legislation and other priorities.

© Annie Rice/Associated Press

The health secretary has chipped away at the idea that immunizing children against measles and other diseases is a public health good.

© Niki Chan Wylie for The New York Times

As of Tuesday, 22 children and two adults had been infected, all of whom were unvaccinated, local officials said.