### Experts Warn of Decline in MMR Vaccination Rates as Measles Cases Surge

Health experts are raising alarms over a significant drop in the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rate among children across the United States, coinciding with a worrying spike in measles cases. A recent study reveals that the vaccination rate fell in 80% of US counties last year, resulting in an overall decline of three percent nationwide.

This decline means that only 91% of children are currently vaccinated against measles, well below the 95% threshold required to control the spread and prevent fatalities. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University caution that further reductions in vaccination rates could lead to measles becoming a common infection once again. As of last week, the US has reported over 1,000 confirmed measles cases and at least three deaths, the first measles-related fatalities in a decade.

A majority of those infected, including all fatalities, were unvaccinated largely due to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, experts say. Without the MMR vaccine, which has a 97% efficacy rate, measles is considered the most contagious disease globally. Symptoms include tiny white spots inside the mouth, red spots on the body, ear infections, and a high fever.

The Johns Hopkins study analyzed MMR vaccination data from 2,066 counties across 38 states, focusing on kindergarteners from the 2017-2018 school year to the 2023-2024 school year. Nearly 78% of the counties observed reported a drop in vaccination rates. On average, county-level vaccination rates decreased from 93.92% before the COVID-19 pandemic to 91.26% afterward. Among the states studied, only California, Connecticut, Maine, and New York showed an increase in vaccine uptake.

Lauren Gardner, senior author of the study and director of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering, stated that the detailed dataset offers critical insights into the nation's vaccination landscape and the risks of measles outbreaks. Notably, this year has recorded the highest number of measles cases in over three decades, except for 2019, with the majority occurring in unvaccinated children.

Measles has an exceptionally high transmission rate; up to 90% of unvaccinated individuals close to an infected person will also contract the disease. A typical measles patient can infect up to 18 others if none are vaccinated. In comparison, people with the original COVID-19 strain would infect on average just two others, though this figure increased with newer variants.

To counter the spread of measles, health experts recommend children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first between 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years old. Children traveling internationally should get an early dose between 6-11 months. Additionally, adults are urged to check their measles immunity status.