"One of the key differences, according to a new study, was that in New Mexico, the rapid spread of the highly infectious virus spurred a massive surge in measles vaccinations among children and adults. Overall, shots of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine increased 55 percent statewide from January to September compared to the same period in 2024."
"Over the whole year, the number of MMR doses given to children (defined as less than age 18) increased 18 percent compared to 2024-from 27,988 in 2024 to 32,890 in 2025. Doses in adults (aged 18 and up) skyrocketed a whopping 291 percent- from 5,748 in 2024 to 22,500 in 2025."
"Health officials noted that within two weeks of the outbreak being declared, the number of vaccine doses given in all regions of the state began to exceed the number given during the previous year. And in some regions, when a first measles case was identified, officials saw week-over-week increases in vaccinations as high as 78 and 83 percent."
A measles outbreak beginning in January 2025 became the largest in the United States since the disease's 2000 elimination declaration. Texas recorded 762 cases by August, while New Mexico documented 99 cases by September. A CDC study identified vaccination response as a critical differentiator between the two states. New Mexico experienced a dramatic surge in MMR vaccinations following outbreak declaration, with statewide doses increasing 55 percent from January to September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Child vaccinations rose 18 percent while adult vaccinations increased 291 percent. Vaccination increases began within two weeks of outbreak declaration across all state regions, with some areas showing week-over-week increases exceeding 78 percent when cases were identified.
Read at Ars Technica
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