The recent measles outbreak in Texas has officially ended, but health experts warn that other parts of the country are likely to experience outbreaks in communities with low vaccination rates. The number of measles cases reported this year is significantly higher than last year’s total, with 1,356 confirmed cases across the US.
To prepare for new and expanding outbreaks, health officials need more detailed information on which counties and communities have low vaccination rates. They also require resources to mount effective responses quickly. Dean Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine emphasizes the importance of launching catch-up vaccination campaigns and providing vaccine access through clinics.
Local public health director Katherine Wells, who led the response to the Texas outbreak, notes that going door-to-door or setting up smaller clinics may be more effective in vaccinating hesitant communities. She also highlights the need for real conversations with individuals who have concerns about vaccines, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all messaging.
Wells’ experience was complicated by a gag order imposed on the CDC by the Trump administration, forcing her to rely on literature and past outbreaks as guides. The 2014 outbreak in Ohio’s Mennonite communities served as a valuable reference point for her team’s efforts.
The lack of available funding and staffing hindered Wells’ ability to implement comprehensive vaccination campaigns. She suggests assembling teams of community health workers to educate neighbors and encourage vaccination, but notes that such initiatives require sufficient resources.
To combat measles on the national level, experts recommend creating a vaccination map of the country to identify vulnerable pockets and inform targeted health education campaigns. Dean Peter Hotez co-authored a study in 2018 that mapped childhood immunization rates at the county level, revealing significant disparities across the US.
Idaho’s recent announcement of two measles cases highlights the ongoing risk of outbreaks in areas with low vaccination rates. As experts emphasize the need for more detailed information on vaccination rates and targeted health education efforts, they stress the importance of ensuring vaccine availability and facilitating real conversations with individuals who have concerns about vaccines.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/22/measles-texas-lessons-vaccination