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Study Warns U.S. Measles Could Resurge as Vaccination Rates Decline

A JAMA study projects millions of cases and thousands of deaths over 25 years without action, as recent outbreaks highlight immediate risks.

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Ein Hinweisschild mit der Aufschrift "Measles Clinic"
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Overview

  • A Stanford-led study published in JAMA warns that declining vaccination rates in the U.S. could lead to endemic measles, with 850,000 cases, 170,000 hospitalizations, and 2,500 deaths projected over 25 years at current coverage levels.
  • The study predicts that a 10% further drop in vaccination rates could result in 11.1 million measles cases, while halving rates could lead to over 51 million infections and 159,200 deaths from multiple diseases.
  • The 2025 measles outbreak in Texas has already caused 884 confirmed cases across 20 states, including two pediatric deaths—the first U.S. measles fatalities in a decade.
  • Researchers emphasize that raising vaccination rates by just 5% could prevent measles from becoming endemic again, underscoring the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
  • Measles, declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, is highly contagious and preventable through a two-dose MMR vaccine, which remains essential for maintaining herd immunity.