Texas Measles Outbreak Escalates Amid Low Vaccination Rates
Hey everyone, I want to talk to you today about something serious that’s happening right now in Texas — and it’s affecting more and more families by the day. I’m talking about the ongoing measles outbreak that’s taken a sharp and dangerous turn. As of this week, there are now 481 confirmed cases of measles in Texas, and in just the last three days alone, 59 new infections have been reported. That’s not just a spike — that’s a warning bell ringing loud and clear.
What’s even more concerning is that nearly all of these cases are among people who haven’t been vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unclear. Only 10 of the 481 confirmed cases are among people who have received one or two doses of the MMR vaccine — which really shows how effective the vaccine is. Unfortunately, the outbreak is being fueled by declining vaccination rates, and that’s putting a lot of young children at risk.
Most of the cases are showing up in kids between the ages of 5 and 17, but a significant portion — 157 cases — are in children under 5. In Lubbock, six children at one day care facility, Tiny Tots U Learning Academy, have tested positive. These are kids as young as 5 months old, too young to be fully vaccinated. The outbreak in that center started with a little girl who had a fever and vomiting — symptoms that didn’t initially point to measles until it escalated into pneumonia and breathing issues.
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The epicenter remains Gaines County, near the New Mexico border, which has reported over 300 cases. The state’s health officials are working closely with the CDC, but even so, local health departments are feeling the strain. Some have had to cancel vaccine clinics due to recent budget cuts, and day care owners like Maegan Messick are making real-time decisions without clear federal guidance.
Here’s what’s hard to swallow: nationally, measles cases are on track to more than double what we saw last year. As of now, at least 628 cases have been reported across 21 states. And almost all of them are in people who weren’t vaccinated. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine — the first at 12 to 15 months, and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is about 93% effective. Two doses? Up to 97%.
This outbreak is a direct consequence of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. And what we’re seeing now is not just numbers on a chart. These are real families dealing with real consequences — children hospitalized, schools and day cares disrupted, and communities scrambling to respond.
Doctors are urging parents to check their kids’ vaccination status and talk to their pediatricians. If you're unsure or if your child is overdue, don’t wait. Vaccination isn’t just a personal choice — it’s a community responsibility. It protects the vulnerable — like infants and those with weakened immune systems — who can’t protect themselves.
So let’s take this seriously. Let’s get informed, get vaccinated, and help stop this outbreak before it spreads any further.
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