Measles Makes a Comeback: What's Happening in the US?

Measles is back with a vengeance in the US. The numbers are shocking. Over 1, 277 cases have been reported this year. That's more than any year since measles was declared eliminated in 2000. And experts think the real number is even higher because many cases go unreported. The biggest outbreak is in Texas. Gaines County is the epicenter. Nearly 1 in 4 kindergartners there aren't fully vaccinated. That's way below the recommended rate. The outbreak has spread to other states too. New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado have all seen cases linked to Texas. Vaccination rates are a big part of the problem. The US hasn't met its goal of 95% vaccination for kindergartners in four years. In fact, more kids are getting exemptions from vaccines. That leaves them and others at risk. But there's some good news. Special vaccination clinics have helped. More people are getting vaccinated, especially in affected areas. In Texas, early vaccination rates for infants have skyrocketed. That's a step in the right direction. Still, the situation is serious. Three people have died from measles this year. All were unvaccinated. The CDC is warning travelers to get vaccinated. Measles is highly contagious. One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective. Two doses bump that up to 97%. The US could lose its measles elimination status if cases keep rising. That would be a big setback. It's a reminder that vaccines work. They save lives. And they protect communities.