Rise in measles cases worsens over summer

Measles cases in the U. S. surged to their highest level in 33 years, with the CDC reporting 1,288 confirmed cases last week. This total surpasses the 2019 figures, which previously marked a significant public health crisis. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths, including two children in Texas, prompting urgent calls for increased vaccination efforts.

The CDC maintains that measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines offer the best protection against the virus. The decline in vaccination rates, attributed to growing vaccine hesitancy, shows that only 92. 7% of kindergarteners were vaccinated in the 2023-2024 school year. California, while generally higher in vaccination rates, has 16 counties that fall below the herd immunity threshold. Last year, 96.

2% of California's kindergartners were vaccinated, a slight decrease from the previous year. Ongoing efforts by the federal government aim to bolster community vaccination initiatives in states facing outbreaks.