Before the first measles vaccines were created in the 1960s, measles infected millions of people in the United States every year. By the 1980s, cases had been drastically reduced due to the widespread use of the vaccine. The vaccine was so effective that in 2000 measles was declared eliminated from the US.
Though there are usually a few hundred isolated cases of measles in the US yearly, this disease of the past has made a rapid comeback in 2025. An outbreak in Texas has infected 244 people, and other cases across the country bring the grand total up to 301 cases as of March 18, 2025.
Although the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK), has a history of questioning the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, he has recently changed his tune in a Fox News editorial. However, government leaders need to work harder to inform those who have concerns about vaccines about the safety and efficacy of them in order to prevent outbreaks of diseases such as measles.
While Kennedy did voice support for vaccines in his editorial, he also mentioned the use of Vitamin A and therapeutic medicines as treatment techniques. Supporting these treatments as alternatives to vaccination is dangerous, as these treatments do not prevent the disease. Vitamin A is used to lower the risk of death in measles patients, especially in children, but it cannot cure the disease. Advocating for this treatment instead of vaccination could potentially confuse people into thinking that there is another way to avoid getting measles other than vaccination.
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine gives an individual 97% immunity against measles infection, and it is a lifelong vaccine. There is a small chance people who are vaccinated can still get measles, but if they do they likely won’t experience severe symptoms and aren’t as likely to spread it to others.
The epicenter of the outbreak, Gaines County, Texas, has a MMR vaccination rate of 81.97%. This is much lower than Texas’s average rate of 94.35%, which is still below the CDC’s recommended 95%.
This outbreak proves that vaccines are both effective and necessary in preventing diseases such as measles. Counties surrounding Gaines County with vaccination rates closer to the CDC’s recommendation have much fewer measles cases.
Though MMR vaccines are typically required for children to enroll in school, all states have exemptions available for those who cannot receive vaccines due to medical reasons. Some have exemptions for those with religious or personal objections to vaccines as well.
While it is important that people have the option to choose whether they wish to receive a medical treatment, such as a vaccine, it’s equally important that people are educated about the benefits of vaccines. With misinformation spreading about vaccines, such as RFK’s previous comments claiming that vaccines cause autism, the government needs to encourage education programs to supply the public with factual information so that they can make an informed decision.
By federal law, Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) must be provided to an individual or their guardian before they receive a vaccine. This document provides facts about the importance, possible risks and other information regarding the vaccine. While this is a great way to inform individuals about vaccines, the information is only provided to those already receiving a vaccine.
Other education programs, such as the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society’s (PIDS) Comprehensive Vaccine Education Program, seek to educate skeptical parents and individuals about the safety of vaccines through modules. Working to promote programs such as this could help those with concerns about vaccines understand the science behind them, soothing fears and protecting communities.
Vaccines have drastically reduced the cases of diseases that used to cause mass fatalities. The government working to promote education programs to those who are hesitant to get vaccinated will help prevent these diseases from returning.
