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Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R), a likely 2016 presidential candidate and a certified physician, weighed in on the vaccination debate Monday by asserting that he believes most vaccines should be voluntary.

"I'm not anti-vaccine at all but...most of them ought to be voluntary, Paul told Laura Ingraham on her radio show Monday. "I think there are times in which there can be some rules but for the most part it ought to be voluntary.

Pauls comments followa minor controversyMonday stirred by remarks by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R)another potential 2016 candidatein which he called for balance in vaccination requirements in order to allow for parental discretion. The Republican governor walked back his comments several hours later.

"The Governor believes vaccines are an important public health protection and with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated," Christie's office said in a statement.

[RELATED: Christie clarifies comments on measles vaccine]

A nationwide measles outbreak has transformed mandatory vaccination practices into a potent political issue. Medical professionals attribute the outbreak to increasing vaccination skepticism and have urged parents to vaccinate their children. On Sunday, President Obama weighed in, saying"there is every reason to get vaccinated there arent reasons to not."

Paul's comments were distributed online by the Democratic National Committee Monday.

Paul pointed to a 2007effort by then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), who is also considering a 2016 run for the Republican nomination, that would have required young girls to receive a vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). That move was sharply attacked by social conservatives who said requiring vaccination against HPV, which is a sexually transmitted disease,would encourage promiscuity. The Texas legislature eventually overturned the mandate. Perry later called the order a mistake.

While I think its a good idea to take the vaccine, I think thats a personal decision for individuals to take, Paul said, attempting to strike a balance between responsible medical protocols and personal choice.

Paul went on to mention that he was frustrated when doctors suggested his son be vaccinated for Hepatitis B, which he said made him uncomfortable as a parent.

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Rand Paul, M.D., says most vaccines should be voluntary