The U.S. is at risk of losing its elimination status for measles after the CDC reported the highest number of cases of the virus in 33 years. Cases have been reported in 38 states, with the highest concentration in West Texas.
ELIZABETH JACOBS; [email protected]
Jacobs is Professor Emerita of epidemiology at the University of Arizona.
Jacobs told the Institute for Public Accuracy: “We are at the highest rate of measles cases since it was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. These cases are attributable to declining vaccination rates. Measles is the canary in the coal mine in terms of losing herd immunity. Measles is incredibly contagious, so when rates of routine vaccination decline, it is the first thing you see. It’s a hint that other conditions might start to pop up. But under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., there won’t be a push to improve vaccination coverage for vaccine preventable disease. That is what is really concerning to me.
“I do want to give a shout out to local health departments that are doing everything in their power to protect local communities. But there needs to be a consistent message coming from every level of public health––from the head of HHS to local providers––that vaccination with MMR is the most important thing to do right now. I would feel a lot more secure if the person at top of our public health system understood the importance of vaccines and were not continually spreading misinformation to discourage people from vaccinating themselves and their children. RFK Jr. does not support vaccination, period.
“It may be true that there has been an undercount of these cases. If people aren’t reporting their symptoms or are hiding out, then those cases are being missed. If they don’t seek medical care, then we have totally missed that person… Many people still don’t understand that individual vaccinations don’t protect people; instead, you get a bubble of protection when everyone around you is vaccinated. That is how we keep people safe when they can’t be vaccinated, like infants who are too young or the immunocompromised. There is a lot of framing coming from Kennedy that this is a personal decision. But this is a decision that affects your entire community. Herd immunity is like a vaccine for the entire community.
“These outbreaks also have a major impact on local health systems. Vaccination helps reduce burden on health care centers. If we are going to let infectious disease rip, we need to think about what is going to happen to health centers, especially in rural settings––and especially when combined with Medicaid cuts, which will cause hospitals to close.”
Jacobs also noted that recent catastrophic flooding in Texas puts an added burden on the health care system. “The [Trump] administration is cutting all sorts of funds meant for the common good and the health of the community, including public health and FEMA funds. Where are people going to turn to in this situation? “