New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Monday that parents should have a “measure of choice” in whether their children are vaccinated — remarks that appeared to break with President Barack Obama and public health officials worried about a measles outbreak.
“Mary Pat and I have had our children vaccinated, and we think that it’s an important part of being sure we protect their health and the public health,” the likely 2016 presidential candidate said while in Cambridge, England.
The Republican also noted: “I also understand that parents need to have some measure of choice in things as well, so that’s the balance that the government has to decide.”
Later Monday, Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts sought to clarify the remarks.
“To be clear: The governor believes vaccines are an important public health protection and with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated,” Roberts said in a statement. “At the same time different states require different degrees of vaccination, which is why he was calling for balance in which ones government should mandate.”
On Sunday, Obama told NBC News in a Super Bowl pregame interview that the science behind vaccination is “pretty indisputable” and there are no reasons for parents not to have their children receive vaccinations.
Read more: Chris Christie causes stir with vaccination comments
.