A deadly measles outbreak in Texas has raised concerns over federal support for vaccination efforts. The US declared measles “eliminated” in 2000, but the country has seen several outbreaks since anti-vaccine sentiments rose.
The Texas outbreak began in a small Mennonite community near Lubbock and has since spread to over 130 cases across the state and New Mexico, with 18 patients hospitalized. Public health experts and local residents have expressed fears that the newly confirmed top health official, Robert F Kennedy Jr, may be fueling the outbreak due to his past remarks about childhood vaccines.
Kennedy’s comments have been disputed by doctors, and he has announced plans related to vaccines, including an investigation into whether the childhood vaccination schedule contributes to chronic illnesses. However, experts warn that his approach could disrupt access to safe vaccines and erode trust in immunization efforts.
As the outbreak spreads, local health officials are working overtime to promote vaccination and build trust with parents. Despite some encouraging signs, more needs to be done to address the growing concern over measles in Texas and beyond.
Dr. Katherine Wells, director of the Lubbock Public Health Department, has been hosting vaccine clinics and educating the community about the virus. She warned that unvaccinated individuals are at high risk of complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and death.
The US needs to ensure that vaccination efforts remain effective in achieving herd immunity, which requires around 95% of the population to be immunized. However, some western Texas communities are struggling to meet this threshold, with only 82% of kindergartners vaccinated.
As parents across Texas and the US grow increasingly concerned about measles, it is essential that federal support for vaccination efforts remains strong. Local health officials, like Dr. Cook, are doing their part to promote vaccines, but more needs to be done at the national level to address this growing crisis.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgeq3y1825o