On July 9, the CDC reported that measles infections have reached their highest levels in over 30 years, with nearly 1,300 cases in 38 states recorded so far this year. Online responses to the news continued to debate the outbreaks’ origin, the disease’s severity, and the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Some urged parents to take the outbreaks seriously and criticized the anti-vaccine movement for causing “avoidable” outbreaks, while others dismissed the outbreaks as a “plandemic,” a reference to the conspiracy theory that world leaders use planned epidemics to control populations. Some falsely claimed that rising measles cases—which have overwhelmingly affected unvaccinated children—are a sign that the vaccine “failed,” falsely suggesting that “natural immunity” is superior.
Recommendation
Measles cases are on the rise in the U.S., threatening our elimination status. Health communicators may emphasize that vaccination is the only safe, proven way to protect against measles. Natural immunity through infection is extremely risky and may lead to severe illness, lifelong health complications, and even death. Messaging may explain the risks of a measles infection, including immune amnesia, and that vaccination is 97 percent effective against infection.
Fact-checking sources: AAP, IDSA, Your Local Epidemiologist
