Measles Vaccination Rates Rise Amid Ongoing Outbreaks Across US

Measles vaccination rates are rising in parts of the U.S. affected by recent outbreaks, with 378 confirmed cases this year, primarily among unvaccinated individuals. In Texas, a significant outbreak has led to 327 infections, with only two cases among fully vaccinated individuals. Health officials are urging vaccinations, and as of mid-March, Texas has administered over 173,000 doses of the MMR vaccine, surpassing totals from previous years. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, which are 93% and 97% effective, respectively. Despite being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, the resurgence of measles is concerning due to increasing vaccine exemptions. The outbreaks highlight the contagious nature of the virus, which can infect non-vaccinated individuals easily, underscoring the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates.