Home / Health / US Faces Largest Measles Surge in Over Three Decades
US Faces Largest Measles Surge in Over Three Decades
14 Feb
Summary
- US experiences the largest measles surge in over 30 years.
- South Carolina reported 950 measles cases, with 883 unvaccinated.
- Health officials strongly urge all Americans to get the MMR vaccine.
The United States is currently grappling with its largest surge of measles cases in over 30 years, a concerning trend that has prompted widespread calls for vaccination. Health officials are emphasizing the critical need for individuals, particularly children, to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
In South Carolina, state health officials reported 950 measles cases as of Friday. This includes 17 new infections identified since Tuesday. Notably, a significant portion of these cases, 883 individuals, were unvaccinated. Additionally, 19 cases involved individuals who had received only one dose of the recommended two-dose MMR vaccine protocol.
Federal health leaders are united in their message. FDA Commissioner Martin Makary highlighted that an outbreak in South Carolina should serve as a potent reminder for parents to ensure their children are vaccinated. He reiterated that the MMR vaccine, with its two-shot regimen recommended starting at 12 months and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age, remains the best defense against measles. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz have also publicly endorsed measles vaccination.
