A measles outbreak at an elementary school in Florida’s Broward County prompted the circulation of debunked myths about the disease and the MMR vaccine. Some vaccine opponents claim that COVID-19 or measles vaccines caused the outbreak, while others argue that measles isn’t serious and that vaccines are unnecessary. Notably, some opposition to measles vaccination appears to be an extension of the skepticism about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.
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For more information on how to respond to tough questions about the outbreaks, visit our Messaging Resource and Answers to Tough Public Health Questions on measles and the measles (MMR) vaccine. Fact-Checking Source(s): Full Fact, CDC, PBS
The rising risk of measles outbreaks in the U.S. and worldwide due to declining vaccination rates increases the risk of these false and misleading narratives. Debunking messaging may explain that vaccines do not cause measles and that the MMR vaccine is the best protection against the disease. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles and provide lifetime immunity. Messaging may also emphasize that measles is a serious and extremely contagious disease and that children without immunity are at high risk of contracting measles if exposed. One in five children who contract measles will be hospitalized, 1 in 20 will develop pneumonia, and 1-3 in 1,000 will die. Emphasizing that children who are unvaccinated, under-vaccinated, or unsure of their vaccination status should receive an MMR vaccine immediately—and up to 72 hours after measles exposure—is recommended.
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