As of July 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there have been a total of 1,309 confirmed measles cases reported by 40 jurisdictions and states, the highest level in 33 years.
Childhood immunization, once a silent hero of public health, has lost traction. Kindergarten coverage has dipped to around 92.7% (nationally), below the roughly 95% needed for herd immunity. Unvaccinated children, especially in tight-knit communities, have become tinder for outbreaks. In Texas alone, 753 measles cases erupted in one region. This is public health negligence with devastating consequences.
What makes measles so dangerous?
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, airborne, lingering in shared airspaces, and capable of infecting up to 90% of susceptible individuals. It isn’t just an occasional rash, but a gateway to serious illness: high fever, ear infections, pneumonia, and in rare cases, encephalitis or long-term neurological damage. Vaccine-preventable, yet all these miseries return when immunization falters.
The MMR vaccine is a modern marvel: one dose gives about 93% protection; two doses, nearly 97%. For pregnant women, healthcare staff, travelers and every child, it’s a cornerstone of safety. The CDC ensures infants as young as six months get early coverage before global travel.
Pregnant women who are exposed to measles may lead to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and fetal death. In some cases, measles can be transmitted to the fetus, leading to congenital measles infection in the newborn.
So what if your child isn’t vaccinated?
Here’s a practical guide for parents:
1. Catch up now. If your child missed either MMR dose, consult your pediatrician immediately. A catch-up schedule is straightforward: two doses spaced at least four weeks apart.
2. After exposure? If exposed to measles, early intervention with MMR (within 72 hours) or immunoglobulin (within six days for high-risk individuals) can help lessen illness.
3. Protect the most vulnerable. Infants under 12 months too young for standard vaccination rely on herd immunity. Once you start vaccinating, consider the “cocooning” strategy: ensure all caregivers, siblings and close contacts are immunized.
4. Don’t substitute vitamins. Vitamin A is sometimes used to speed measles recovery in children, but it doesn’t prevent it. Supplements or alternative remedies are not substitutes for vaccination.
5. Monitor symptoms. Fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose and rash? Call your doctor, isolate your child and get tested. Timely diagnosis means better care and reduction in spread.
Addressing the fears
Serious reactions from vaccinations are rare. Measles complications, though, can be extreme and life-threatening. Rigorous studies and decades of data confirm that MMR vaccines are overwhelmingly safe and effective.
For those concerned about ingredients or long-term impacts, I want to reiterate: each component has been extensively tested. The vaccine schedule today is the result of careful science tailored to maximize benefit and minimize risk.
What we must do now together
• Parents: Vaccinate your children. Weigh the known risks vs. unmeasurable dangers of measles. Your doctor is your ally.
• Physicians: Proactively review immunization status at every visit and engage in respectful, informed dialogue with hesitant families.
• Schools and Local Authorities: Enforce school entry vaccination laws, issue targeted catch-up campaigns, especially in communities below herd immunity.
• Policymakers: Support funding for outreach like Austin’s data-driven school initiative, which raised vaccination rates from 86% to nearly 95%. Reject misinformation and bolster scientific review of vaccine policy.
I write this as both a physician and a father deeply concerned about our children’s health. We are witnessing a disturbing resurgence of measles across the United States. We face not just numbers but lives: three deaths, hundreds hospitalized and many more living with long-term complications like pneumonia or brain swelling. These are not mere statistics but preventable tragedies.
I implore every parent: choose immunity, choose protection—for your child, your community and our country. It only takes two shots to prevent immeasurable suffering.
Warren M. Seigel MD, MBA, FAAP, FSAHM, is the chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, director of Adolescent Medicine at NYC Health +Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health and an associate professor of Clinical Pediatrics at SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn.
