As of February 14, several West Texas counties have confirmed 48 measles cases, all in individuals who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination statuses. 42 of those cases are in children, and 13 people have been hospitalized. The outbreak has sparked online conversations around the country as cases continue to rise in a county where nearly one in five kindergarteners received exemptions for the MMR vaccine last school year. Many social media users expressed frustration at “reckless” parents who refuse to vaccinate and at vaccine exemption policies, while others warned that other vaccine-preventable outbreaks will follow as anti-vaccine rhetoric becomes more mainstream. Some commenters attempted to downplay the outbreak by arguing that measles isn’t serious and that there aren’t enough infections to call it an outbreak.
Recommendation
Myths about the severity of measles and the importance of vaccination can lead to hesitancy, which is especially dangerous during an ongoing outbreak. In counties experiencing an outbreak, emphasizing key messages is recommended: Anyone who is not fully vaccinated for measles should be immunized with a measles vaccine as soon as possible after exposure. Measles vaccines given within 72 hours after exposure may prevent or reduce the severity of disease. Children as young as 6 months old can receive the measles vaccine if they are at risk during an outbreak, so if a child isn’t fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR, they should talk to their pediatrician. Unvaccinated kids who have been exposed to the virus should stay home from school, daycare, and other activities for 21 days.
Elsewhere, debunking messaging may explain that measles is an extremely contagious and potentially life-threatening disease that can cause serious complications like ear infections, pneumonia, and brain swelling. Talking points may emphasize that vaccination is 97 percent effective against measles infection and that unvaccinated children are at extremely high risk of contracting measles during an outbreak.
Fact-checking sources: American Academy of Pediatrics
