A measles outbreak is currently affecting Texas and New Mexico, with 284 reported cases and two deaths among unvaccinated individuals. Nationwide, there have been 308 reported cases this year, surpassing the total number of cases in 2024.
Maine, which has a high vaccination rate, remains unaffected by the outbreak, thanks to its strict vaccination laws that require all school-age children to be vaccinated against measles and other infectious diseases.
Dr. Puthiery Va, director of the Maine CDC, attributes the state’s low risk of measles to its high vaccination rates. “Our high vaccination rates are why we haven’t seen a measles outbreak here in Maine,” she said. “Because we have such a good vaccination rate, the measles doesn’t have an opportunity to spread.”
Measles is a contagious and potentially severe viral disease that can cause brain swelling, pneumonia, loss of hearing, and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the measles vaccine for children between 12-15 months old, followed by a booster shot at age 4-6 years.
Despite the dangers of measles, misinformation about vaccination has been spreading. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new health and human services secretary, has claimed that the measles vaccine can cause the disease, which is false. Vitamin A supplements may help reduce measles mortality in areas with high prevalence of undernutrition and vitamin A deficiency, but they are not a cure or prevention for measles.
While there have been outbreaks in several states, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, Maine’s strict vaccination laws have helped to prevent the disease from spreading.
Source: https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/15/is-measles-coming-to-maine-will-my-vaccination-protect-me