Measles Outbreak in Texas: A Growing Concern
Fewer Texas public school kindergarteners are vaccinated against measles today compared to five years ago. A majority of the state’s public schools saw overall declines in childhood measles vaccination rates in recent years, and schools in rural areas were among those with the largest drops, state data shows.
This is of concern, according to public health experts, as Texas is facing a measles outbreak with over 300 cases across the state. “As we get more of these pockets of unvaccinated individuals, there’s more susceptible groups,” said Dr. Philip Huang, the director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
What is Measles and How Does it Spread?
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.
Decline in Vaccination Rates
Marfa ISD — a rural West Texas district with 223 students — saw the largest decline in childhood vaccination rates among the state’s public schools. Less than 56% of kindergarteners were protected against measles last year, down from 100% in 2019.
Over 5 million students attend public schools in Texas, which include school districts and charter schools. 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.”
Factors Contributing to Declining Vaccination Rates
Several factors are driving the declining rates, including parents who choose not to vaccinate their children, according to public health officials. Exemption requests for required vaccinations in Texas have climbed since the onset of the pandemic.
Skepticism around vaccines increased during the pandemic, according to Dr. Katherine Wells, director of public health in Lubbock. “People had concerns that the COVID-19 vaccine was new or not tested,” she said. “When I’m talking to people about the measles outbreak, I try to focus on the fact that this is a vaccine that we’ve been getting for 50 years.”
Access to Healthcare and Misinformation
Families in rural communities often can’t access health care easily, said Dr. Ana Montanez, a pediatrician in Lubbock, at a recent briefing. Montanez said that many of her patients are farmers who struggle to take time off from work to bring their kids in to get vaccinated. Others don’t have health insurance.
Families living in rural communities might also not have access to “reliable resources that are based on fact rather than opinion,” she said, referring to public information about vaccines usually found in libraries, grocery stores and clinics. “What happens is they end up turning to web searches,” Montanez said.
Outbreak Spreads to New Areas
While the outbreak hasn’t led to any confirmed cases in the Dallas-Fort Worth area so far, it’s possible it could spread to the metro area. North Texas has some areas with low vaccination rates, which puts the region at risk of cases, according to experts.
The state recently announced five measles cases in Lamar County, which sits roughly 100 miles northeast of Dallas, in the first instance of the outbreak spreading outside of West Texas. Another case has been reported in Rockwall County, though officials do not believe it is connected to the outbreak in West Texas.
Conclusion
The declining vaccination rates in Texas public schools are a growing concern, especially with the current measles outbreak. It is essential for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to work together to educate the public about the importance of vaccination and provide access to healthcare for all families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is measles and how does it spread? A: Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads mostly among unvaccinated people. It can be spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Q: What is herd immunity? A: Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population is immunized against a disease, providing protection for those who are not immunized, such as individuals with weakened immune systems.
Q: Why are vaccination rates declining in Texas? A: Several factors are contributing to declining vaccination rates, including parents who choose not to vaccinate their children, exemption requests, and access to healthcare issues.
Q: Can measles be prevented? A: Yes, measles can be prevented through vaccination. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles.
Q: What can be done to address the declining vaccination rates? A: Educating the public about the importance of vaccination, providing access to healthcare, and addressing misinformation about vaccines can help address declining vaccination rates.
