"We counted on the community to keep our children safe. She trusted that her neighbors were vaccinating their children to protect other vulnerable people in her community including her twins. But that's no longer the case."
"Measles one of the world's most contagious diseases was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, thanks to widespread vaccination and school vaccine requirements. But with the current resurgence of measles, the country is at risk of losing that elimination status."
"The answer is a mix of widespread misinformation, lingering resentment over COVID mandates, and politicians at the local and national level who are sowing mistrust of vaccines."
Spartanburg County, South Carolina is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in the United States in over thirty years, with nearly 1,000 confirmed cases. Measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 through widespread vaccination and school vaccine requirements, but the country now risks losing that status. Local vaccination rates have dropped to just under 89%, falling significantly below the 95% threshold necessary to prevent community outbreaks. This situation is not isolated; experts warn similar outbreaks could occur in other regions across the country. The decline in vaccination rates stems from misinformation, lingering resentment over COVID mandates, and political figures undermining vaccine confidence. Vulnerable populations, including immunocompromised children, face increased risk as community immunity weakens.
Read at www.npr.org
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