The growing measles outbreak in Texas and neighboring New Mexico is fueling conspiracy theories about the disease and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. As of February 25, one death, 124 infections, and 18 hospitalizations have been reported in Texas, including five cases in vaccinated individuals. Some vaccine opponents are falsely claiming on social media that the MMR vaccine caused the outbreak. On February 20, a prominent anti-vaccine organization founded and formerly chaired by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a video speculating without evidence that the Texas outbreak was caused by a vaccine-derived measles virus, a claim that has been conclusively disproved through genomic testing.
Recommendation
False claims about MMR vaccine safety during an active measles outbreak could discourage people from getting vaccinated and negatively impact efforts to contain disease spread. Debunking messaging may explain that Texas health officials have tested all measles virus samples and determined that the infections were caused by a naturally occurring measles virus. Vaccine-associated measles is an extremely rare phenomenon that has only been recorded in a few dozen people in the entire history of the MMR vaccine. Messaging may also highlight that, in over 50 years, there has not been a single recorded case of the MMR vaccine causing an infection that was able to spread to other people. Emphasizing that vaccination is safe, 97 percent effective against measles infection, and the only way to prevent measles is recommended.
Fact-checking sources: NBC News, Infectious Diseases Society of America
