The recent outbreak of measles in the United States is posing a significant threat to the country’s elimination status, as highlighted in a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Measles was considered eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, thanks to an effective vaccination campaign that began in 1963. However, occasional outbreaks have occurred due to international travel and pockets of unvaccinated communities.
According to the CDC report, the rapid increase in the number of measles cases during the first quarter of 2024 indicates a renewed threat to the U.S. elimination status. As of April 4, 2024, there have been 113 reported cases of measles in the U.S., a significant increase compared to previous years.
Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, expressed concern about the alarming trend. Despite having a successful control over the virus and an effective vaccine, the rise in measles cases is unfortunate and preventable.
Various localized outbreaks have contributed to the surge in measles cases this year. These outbreaks have occurred in places such as a children’s hospital and daycare center in Philadelphia, an elementary school in Florida, and a migrant center in Chicago. Measles is highly infectious, with a potential to infect up to 90% of close contacts who are not immune.
Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center, emphasized that most people in the U.S. who have had measles in recent years either traveled internationally to countries where measles is still present or were in close contact with such individuals. He debunked the misconception that immigrants are responsible for the sporadic outbreaks.
This is not the first time that the elimination status of measles has been at risk. In 2019, there were 1,274 reported cases due to outbreaks in Washington state, New York State, and New York City.
The new CDC report coincides with a decline in routine childhood vaccinations. A November CDC report found that exemptions for routine childhood vaccination among U.S. kindergartners reached their highest levels ever. Approximately 93% of kindergarteners received routine childhood vaccines, including the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, for the 2022-23 school year. However, this percentage is lower compared to previous years.
Dr. Offit stressed the importance of understanding the reasons behind parents choosing not to vaccinate their children. Vaccine hesitancy, influenced by the COVID-19 vaccine and lack of awareness about the seriousness of measles prior to the vaccine’s development, plays a role in this decision. Prior to the vaccine’s introduction, measles caused millions of cases, thousands of hospitalizations, and hundreds of deaths annually.
Despite the outbreak, experts, including the CDC, confirm that individuals who have previously had measles or have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are essentially protected for life. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first administered between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
In conclusion, the recent surge in measles cases jeopardizes the U.S.’s elimination status. The decline in routine childhood vaccinations and vaccine hesitancy contribute to the growing problem. It is crucial to address the fears and concerns of parents, providing them with accurate information about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The measles outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining vaccination rates and implementing strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy. By doing so, we can work towards a future where measles is truly eliminated.