The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says nearly 1,300 measles cases have been reported so far this year across the U.S. -- the most in more than 30 years. Dr. Céline Gounder has more.

Pennsylvania

Nearly 1,300 measles cases have been reported in the United States this year, marking the highest number in more than three decades. The largest outbreak began in under-vaccinated communities in West Texas, resulting in three deaths, including two children, and dozens of hospitalizations. 

Experts emphasize that measles is highly contagious, requiring at least 95% vaccination coverage to prevent transmission. Recent drops in vaccination rates, now at 92.7% among kindergartners, have left communities vulnerable to outbreaks. Misinformation about vaccine safety, amplified by some public figures and changes in health agency structures, is contributing to vaccine hesitancy and lower immunization rates.

Why a small drop in measles vaccine rates is making a big impact

Well, tonight the CDC says nearly 1300 measles cases have been reported so far this year across the country, the most in more than three decades. The largest outbreak began five months ago when under vaccinated communities in West Texas, three people have died, including two Children and dozens have been hospitalized. CBS is Dr Celine Gounder here now with more sling. Good to see you. So a seemingly small drop in vaccination rates here from 95% down to 92.7, almost 93. How does this significantly increase the number of people getting sick? Look, measles is the most contagious infectious disease known to man, which means that you need to have extremely high vaccination rates in order to prevent transmission. In the case of measles, you need 95% population immunity through vaccination to prevent transmission. And what we've seen is vaccination rates have dropped just, you know, you might say not so far off that 95% but down to 92.7% among kindergartners in this country and in some communities drastically lower than that, which leaves us open to having measles transmission, particularly when you have more foreign travel and some delays related to the pandemic. And that's a lot of people were talking about percentages, but that's actually a lot of individuals there, right? And then the virus, it affects immune system cells that damages your immune system. So how does that impact your ability to fight other infections and other things that are just out there? Yeah, I think this is really important to emphasize that measles can cause immunosuppression by infecting immune cells that can last months to years. And in fact, when we look back historically over data of childhood deaths, it looks like about half of those deaths may have been from infectious diseases may have been related to measles immunosuppression. So even if you survive that initial case of measles, your immune system is much weaker for months to years and less able to fight off other infections. What about all this misinformation that's out there? That's got to be affecting this, right? Well, it certainly is. And unfortunately, we are seeing that amplified by certain members of the administration, including Secretary Kennedy, who has been known to be a vaccine skeptic, has uh, reinforced this myth that vaccines cause autism to be very clear that has been thoroughly debunked. Uh, he's also thrown into the mix and restructuring of CDC and FDA, uh, branches that address vaccines and vaccine safety and recommendations, which also raises some concerns in the public and may increase skepticism. Um, and so, you know, we are definitely seeing an impact of mis and disinformation on whether people are getting vaccinated.

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