The article discusses the resurgence of measles in the United States, notably in Texas, where vaccination rates have fallen below herd immunity levels. As of February 18, 58 cases and 13 hospitalizations were reported, mainly in a religious community that often declines vaccinations. This outbreak reflects a broader trend of rising cases across several states, exacerbated by lower vaccination participation among school-aged children. Despite the outbreak, the national vaccination rate for the MMR vaccine remains above 90%, but there are concerning levels of vaccine opt-outs, particularly among kindergarteners, which threaten public health.
Twenty-five years ago, the United States reached a remarkable milestone: measles was considered eradicated. With vaccination rates at "herd immunity" levels - 95% - the highly contagious virus did not have the opportunity to spread as it had in the past, when an estimated three million people per year would become infected.
Simply put, a lack of vaccination. According to reporting from Associated Press (AP), The current outbreak in Gaines County is concentrated in a tight-knit religious community that often forgoes vaccinations.
AP notes that 14% of K-12 students opted out of at least one vaccine as of the 2023-2024 school year. CNN reports that approximately 20% of incoming kindergarteners opted out of the MMR vaccine in the same period.
The good news is that, while national vaccination rates have dipped below herd immunity levels, the uptake of the MMR vaccine (a two-dose combination vaccination that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella), the vast majority of Americans - more than 90% nationally - are vaccinated against the illness.
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