A drop in vaccination rates could lead to a sudden increase in measles cases

Measles outbreaks in the United States quadrupled between 2023 and 2024, but vaccination rates for kindergarten children have declined.

Latest news about measles Cases and occurrences Compared to the four outbreaks of 2023, it was shown that 16 measles outbreaks (defined by the CDC as three or more related cases) occurred in 2024.

According to the CDC, a total of 14 measles cases and two outbreaks had already been reported as of early February, with nine of these cases linked to the outbreak. The 2025 incident occurred in New York City, Alaska, Georgia, Rhode Island and Texas.

Of the 285 measles cases reported to the CDC in 2024, 42% occurred in children under the age of 5, 31% between 5 and 19 years old, and 27% in children over the age of 20.

According to Data from CDCMeasles-Mumpsulvera (MMR) vaccination rates in kindergarteners in the US have decreased from 95% in 2019-2020 to about 93% in the 2022-2023 grade.

According to the CDC, vaccine coverage rates can vary widely at local levels, and areas with lower vaccinations may persist with overall high vaccination. These communities with low or inconsistent vaccination rates can be at higher risk.

Overall, unvaccinated children are at the highest risk of measles, according to the CDC. CDC I recommend it now Two doses of MMR vaccine for all children, first dose at 12-15 months and second dose at 4-6 years old.

Other high-risk groups advised to receive MMR vaccinations include young adults at university and other high school institutions where there is no evidence of immunity to receive two doses apart at least 28 days.

Adults with no evidence of immunity should be given twice apart at least 28 days if they are in a high-risk setting, such as health care or international travel. According to the CDC, other adults with no evidence of immunity should receive at least one MMR.

However, according to the CDC, pregnant women, individuals with immunodeficiency symptoms, and individuals with severe allergies to vaccine ingredients, and groups that include severe groups of vaccine ingredients should not receive the MMR vaccine.

Experts' perspective

Lori Handy, Associate Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of the Philadelphia and Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Perelman School of Medicine, Lori Handy of MSCE, MSCE, MSCE, MSCE, and MSCE, both said, “Measles and MSCE.” The outbreak is on the rise.” Interview in Philadelphia.

“In the past, unvaccinated individuals have been able to travel internationally, acquire measles and bring it back to the US, but when they return to communities with high vaccination rates (>95%), The illness did not spread.” handy. Currently, imported measles cases occur in communities with low vaccination rates, and the highly contagious nature of the virus can cause outbreaks, she said.

For example, if a person with measles is in a crowd of 10 susceptible people, it means that they are not immune to immunosuppression due to immunosuppression, all 10 people will be You could get infected,” Handy said. As a result of increased vaccine hesitancy and limited access to vaccinations, vaccination rates have declined overall during the Covid-19 pandemic, she added. “We once again have a vaccine that is very accessible, but based on misinformation and misinformation spread through traditional media and social media, individuals question the need and safety of the vaccine. It's increasing,” she said.

The measles vaccine is very effective. The data said it was useful, indicating that the two doses offer 97% protection. Medscape Medical News. “The risks associated with vaccines are not zero, but they are extremely rare,” she said. “When parents choose not to vaccinate their children, it is important to recognize that they are choosing the risk of illness. Children infected with measles can experience a fever of up to 104°F. It is sexual and often develops viral pneumonia, which is the most common cause of measles-related death, she said. Furthermore, “patients suffer from encephalitis, severe diarrhea or dehydration.” There is one out of 1,000 children with measles die. This is a virus that we fear,” Handy emphasized.

Vaccination rates for kindergarteners are an established way of following trends over time, Handy said. “But what these rates show is that even though vaccines are recommended at one year olds, some of the population under five are not vaccinated,” she said. “Daily vaccine delays for children, measles-specific vaccines in particular, are the major contributors to the outbreak, as young children who are not vaccinated are generally the population infected with measles,” she added.

He expressed useful concerns about the continued spread of measles through a convenient community of children. CDC's measles data is updated monthly, but the latest data from state and local health departments show over 60 cases in 2025 in mid-February. I said. “As long as we're under 95% of the population vaccinated for measles, we're seeing an outbreak,” Handy says. She noted that unvaccinated individuals are often found in like-minded communities, so some communities may have a low vaccination rate of as low as 50%.

Helping people at the highest risk

“Popular people who are not immune and come into contact with people with measles are at a very high risk of infection,” Handy said. Medscape Medical News. These groups may include groups under 1 year old, those who are unable to receive the vaccine due to immunodeficiency, those who have chosen not to receive the vaccine, and those who may have been vaccinated, but may have been vaccinated, but may have been vaccinated. This includes those who have experienced immunosuppression such as chemotherapy.

The best way for high-risk individuals to stay safe is to advocate for measles vaccinations in the community; Medscape Medical News. For those who cannot receive the measles vaccine, “surround yourself with people who cannot infect you,” she said.

In many areas, local health alerts locate where measles cases have occurred, Handy noted. She said that if an individual who is unable to receive the measles vaccine presents reports that could be exposed to measles, she should receive post-exposure prevention to reduce the risk of infection.

Case management and avoid outbreaks

Clinicians should continue to advise parents and patients about signs and symptoms of measles; Medscape Medical News. The key symptoms are high fever, cough, congestion and red eyes, followed by a red rash beneath the body from the hairline. If a patient suspects exposure, contact the healthcare provider before presenting it to a healthcare facility to remind patients to allow the patient to enter without infecting other patients, she said added. “If a case occurs, please work with your local public health department, and they will be able to advise you on exposure, how to treat and isolate patients, and how to care for unvaccinated people in your community. I can advise you about this,” Handy says.

Handy had no relevant financial ties to disclose.