Fifteen Measles Cases Confirmed in Gaines County, Texas

Fifteen cases of measles, primarily affecting school-aged children, have been reported in Gaines County, Texas, an area noted for its high vaccine exemption rates. Local health officials suspect a link to private religious schools and have initiated a drive-through vaccination clinic in response to the outbreak, which was first identified in late January. The county's exemption rate for vaccines is nearly 14%, significantly higher than the state average of 2.32%. Health officials express concern over declining vaccination rates, which have fallen post-COVID-19, contributing to increased measles outbreaks across the U.S., including a recent outbreak in Chicago. The CDC states that a vaccination rate of at least 95% is necessary to prevent such outbreaks, but rates are currently below that threshold. With measles being extremely contagious, health leaders warn of the potential for the virus to regain a foothold in the U.S. if vaccination rates continue to decline.