Measles vaccination rates up near outbreak epicenters
Recent reports indicate a surge in measles vaccination rates in Texas adn New Mexico following a critically important outbreak of the disease. As January, Texas has documented 327 measles cases, leading too 40 hospitalizations and the tragic death of an unvaccinated child without preexisting conditions. In response to the outbreak, the Texas Department of State Health Services noted that vaccination efforts have ramped up, with over 173,000 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines administered in a period that parallels lower numbers from previous years.
New Mexico has also reported 43 cases, predominantly in Lea County, contributing considerably to the nation’s total cases, which are concentrated in these two states. During a recent time frame,health authorities in New Mexico administered over 13,000 doses of MMR,nearly double from the previous year.
This renewed interest in vaccinations aligns with efforts from health officials, including statements from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has emphasized the importance of vaccinations and good nutrition as safeguards against measles and other illnesses. Measles symptoms can include high fever, cough, and rash, and the disease poses health risks beyond its immediate outbreaks, prompting alerts in other states as well.
Measles vaccination rates up near outbreak epicenters
Texas and New Mexico have seen an increase in vaccinations for measles since its outbreak in the states.
Since late January, Texas has reported 327 measles cases, including 40 hospitalizations. One unvaccinated school-aged child has died because of measles, as the Texas Department of State Health Services reported the child did not have preexisting conditions.
The DSHS doesn’t require a report of vaccinations statewide but confirmed to ABC News that Texans received at least 173,362 MMR vaccines as of March 16. These numbers were higher than the department has reported over the same period of time since 2020.
New Mexico reported 43 cases, mainly in Lea County, which is near Gaines County, Texas. Combined with Texas, these cases make up over 97% of the nationwide cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Between Feb. 1 and March 24, the New Mexico Department of Health reported 13,100 MMR doses administered. About 7,000 doses were administered to children under 18. This number is nearly twice as high as it was during the same period last year.
RFK JR. ISSUES OP-ED ON BENEFITS OF VACCINES AMID MEASLES OUTBREAK
This follows an opinion editorial penned by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in recent weeks to advocate vaccination against measles. Kennedy continued to promote good nutrition as the “best defense against most chronic and infectious illnesses.” While he made no specific food recommendations, he suggested a balanced diet, including Vitamins A, C, D, B12, and E. Kennedy also noted that the CDC recently updated its recommendation that Vitamin A be used to medicate the virus, and he claimed it “can dramatically reduce measles mortality.”
Measles symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and a rash that begins on the face. It is an airborne virus, which prompted warnings in other states besides New Mexico and Texas when a single case was reported.
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