Kansas Governor Urges Vaccination Amid Growing Measles Outbreak

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has issued an urgent call for increased measles vaccination in southwest Kansas following an outbreak with 37 confirmed cases across eight counties, mostly impacting unvaccinated children. The outbreak, which began with the first confirmed case in March, is believed to be connected to ongoing cases in Texas and New Mexico. Health officials emphasize the importance of the MMR vaccine as the most effective prevention, recommending an early extra dose for babies in affected areas. The state is deploying a multi-pronged response, including information outreach, drive-through testing, and monitoring, while warning that actual case numbers may be higher than reported. Vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation, has contributed to declining immunization rates, raising concerns about community vulnerability. Officials stress that high vaccination coverage is essential to halt the spread and protect both children and the broader public.