Measles Outbreak in Texas: A Concerning Trend
Introduction to the Issue
The pastor of a Fort Worth megachurch is celebrating that a school affiliated with his church has the lowest vaccination rate for measles of any school in Texas. This news comes as the state is facing a measles outbreak, with nearly 160 cases reported across Texas as of Tuesday, according to state officials. A total of 22 people have been hospitalized, and one child, who was not vaccinated, has died.
“Shoutout to MC Prep for being the least vaccinated school in Texas!” Landon Schott, pastor of Mercy Culture Church, said in a Wednesday Instagram video. The Dallas Morning News reached out to Schott via email but did not immediately hear back. Mercy Culture’s media director declined to comment when emailed a list of questions. A representative for Mercy Culture Preparatory also told The News over the phone that the school had no comment.
Measles Vaccination Rates in Texas Schools
Mercy Culture Preparatory, a K-12 private school next to the church, has a 14.3% MMR vaccination rate, according to Texas Department of State Health Services data. MMR stands for measles, mumps, and rubella. This makes it one of the schools with the lowest vaccination rates in the state.
Mercy Culture Preparatory is one of six North Texas campuses where less than 50% of kindergarteners are vaccinated. Five are private schools; the other is a public charter school. Other churches in D-FW have encouraged congregants to get vaccines. In 2021, Dallas megachurch The Potter’s House was a mass vaccination site for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Concerns and Reactions
“I just want to congratulate all of the family members of MC Prep that embrace freedom of health and they’re not allowing government or science projects to affect how you live and lead your life,” Schott said in the video. “Freedom is something we take seriously — religious freedom, freedom of our health.”
State Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth, who represents a district that includes the Mercy Culture Church, shared his perspective Thursday in a post on X. “I’ve gotten word that my children’s school has been ranked the #1 most unvaccinated school in Texas & I’m upset… …that we haven’t celebrated sooner!” Schatzline wrote. Schatzline told The News on Thursday that he is a pastor at Mercy Culture.
Vaccination Requirements and Exemptions
Texas requires public and private school students to receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Parents can apply for an exemption for “reasons of conscience,” including “a religious or personal belief that goes against getting immunized.”
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world and spreads mostly among unvaccinated people. For a community to be protected, enough residents must be vaccinated to provide “herd immunity.” For measles, that means 95% of people must be vaccinated for the community to be protected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Importance of Vaccination
Officials from the Dallas County Health and Human Services urged parents to check children’s immunization records and schedule vaccination if needed, according to a notice sent Thursday. Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has been criticized for falsely stating vaccines can cause autism. However, he wrote in a recent Fox News opinion piece that the decision to vaccinate against measles is a “personal one,” but added vaccines are crucial to avoiding the potentially deadly disease.
Conclusion
The low vaccination rate at Mercy Culture Preparatory and the celebration of this fact by its affiliated church are concerning trends amidst a measles outbreak in Texas. It is crucial for communities to understand the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of contagious diseases like measles and in protecting those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current measles vaccination rate at Mercy Culture Preparatory?
A: According to Texas Department of State Health Services data, Mercy Culture Preparatory has a 14.3% MMR vaccination rate.
Q: Can parents in Texas apply for exemptions from vaccinating their children?
A: Yes, parents can apply for an exemption for “reasons of conscience,” including “a religious or personal belief that goes against getting immunized.”
Q: How many people must be vaccinated against measles for a community to be protected?
A: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 95% of people must be vaccinated against measles for a community to be protected.
Q: Is it true that vaccines can cause autism?
A: No, the claim that vaccines can cause autism is false and has been widely debunked by scientific research.
