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Measles Outbreaks Highlight Declining Vaccination Rates and Public Health Challenges

Cases surge across the U.S., driven by reduced vaccination rates, misinformation, and access barriers.

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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
Raynard Covarrubio fills a syringe with the MMR vaccine, at a vaccine clinic put on by Lubbock Public Health Department on March 1, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas.

Overview

  • Measles cases in the U.S. have exceeded 250 this year, with outbreaks concentrated in Texas and New Mexico, where vaccination rates are low.
  • Experts emphasize that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide lifelong immunity for most, but some adults may need boosters depending on their vaccination history.
  • Vaccination rates among kindergarteners in several regions, including Philadelphia, have dropped below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.
  • Misinformation about measles treatments, including claims about vitamin A and natural immunity, has been debunked by public health experts as unscientific and dangerous.
  • Local health departments are working to improve vaccination access and awareness, particularly in underserved and hesitant communities.