Measles is more widespread than you may have heard
A measles outbreak in Texas has led to more than 146 cases of measles and one death as of the end of February, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Of the affected individuals, most have been unvaccinated or had an unverifiable vaccination status, and almost two dozen of them have been hospitalized.
Unfortunately, at least nine other states and New York City have also reported cases of measles as of early March, including Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Mexico and Rhode Island.
Two important points are worth understanding:
- Due to circumstances related to executive orders and changes at the level of the federal government, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data have only intermittently been updated, so citizens (and media reports) may not have the full scope of the threat.
- Because many healthcare providers, particularly younger providers, have not diagnosed measles, the numbers of cases are likely even higher than what can be gleaned from state and local health departments.
To best protect yourself and your family, make sure everyone is updated on measles vaccine. For children over 1 year of age, two doses are recommended (second dose at 4 to 6 years of age). Most adults without evidence of immunity should have one dose. Evidence of immunity can include birth before 1957, documented receipt of MMR vaccine, or laboratory evidence of infection. Healthcare workers typically should receive two doses separated by four weeks if they don’t have documentation of MMR or laboratory evidence of previous infection (even if they were born before 1957). Unfortunately, children less than 1 year of age must rely on maternal antibodies and the people around them for protection.
Find out more about measles and the vaccine from these VEC resources:
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): The Diseases and Vaccines (webpage)
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella (infographic): PDF | PNG
- Measles: What You Should Know (Q&A): English | Spanish
- Rash Information, includes measles image and information (webpage)
- Measles infections, outbreaks & vaccines (videos)
A generational perspective on vaccines
In the February 2025 monthly video related to vaccines and infectious diseases in the news, Dr. Paul Offit, VEC’s Director, discussed how his grandparents and parents had different concerns than he and his wife when they were making vaccine decisions for their children. The differences were a result of progress realized by vaccinations. He also described what it was like training as a pediatrician before the vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was available and what that and other bacterial vaccines have meant to the experiences that young pediatricians receive during training today.
Check out this thought-provoking video.
Measles is more widespread than you may have heard
A measles outbreak in Texas has led to more than 146 cases of measles and one death as of the end of February, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Of the affected individuals, most have been unvaccinated or had an unverifiable vaccination status, and almost two dozen of them have been hospitalized.
Unfortunately, at least nine other states and New York City have also reported cases of measles as of early March, including Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Mexico and Rhode Island.
Two important points are worth understanding:
- Due to circumstances related to executive orders and changes at the level of the federal government, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data have only intermittently been updated, so citizens (and media reports) may not have the full scope of the threat.
- Because many healthcare providers, particularly younger providers, have not diagnosed measles, the numbers of cases are likely even higher than what can be gleaned from state and local health departments.
To best protect yourself and your family, make sure everyone is updated on measles vaccine. For children over 1 year of age, two doses are recommended (second dose at 4 to 6 years of age). Most adults without evidence of immunity should have one dose. Evidence of immunity can include birth before 1957, documented receipt of MMR vaccine, or laboratory evidence of infection. Healthcare workers typically should receive two doses separated by four weeks if they don’t have documentation of MMR or laboratory evidence of previous infection (even if they were born before 1957). Unfortunately, children less than 1 year of age must rely on maternal antibodies and the people around them for protection.
Find out more about measles and the vaccine from these VEC resources:
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): The Diseases and Vaccines (webpage)
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella (infographic): PDF | PNG
- Measles: What You Should Know (Q&A): English | Spanish
- Rash Information, includes measles image and information (webpage)
- Measles infections, outbreaks & vaccines (videos)
A generational perspective on vaccines
In the February 2025 monthly video related to vaccines and infectious diseases in the news, Dr. Paul Offit, VEC’s Director, discussed how his grandparents and parents had different concerns than he and his wife when they were making vaccine decisions for their children. The differences were a result of progress realized by vaccinations. He also described what it was like training as a pediatrician before the vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was available and what that and other bacterial vaccines have meant to the experiences that young pediatricians receive during training today.
Check out this thought-provoking video.