A new study by Johns Hopkins University has found that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rate among children in the US declined by three percent in 2023, leaving just 91 percent of kids fully vaccinated against the disease. This decline is worrying experts, who warn that if vaccination rates continue to fall, measles will likely return and become a common infection among Americans.
Measles is considered one of the most infectious diseases in the world, with a 97 percent effective vaccine available. However, over 1,000 cases and at least three deaths have been reported in the US since last week, primarily due to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. The affected states include Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
The study analyzed vaccination data from 2,066 counties across 38 states and found that only four states – California, Connecticut, Maine, and New York – reported an increase in vaccine uptake. Experts note that the vast majority of cases occur in unvaccinated children, with up to 90 percent of those close to an infected person also becoming infected.
The Johns Hopkins University researchers warn that measles is likely to completely return if vaccination rates continue to fall. They call for increased awareness and action to promote vaccination and prevent the spread of this highly infectious disease.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14772281/US-map-measles-MMR-vaccine-rate-study.html