Measles Outbreak: Kansas' Vaccination Gap

In Kansas, measles is making a comeback, and it is spreading fast. Within a week, the number of cases doubled, and the virus reached three more counties. Some of these counties have shockingly low vaccination rates among kindergartners, with some as low as 41 percent. Experts say that a vaccination coverage of 95 percent or more is needed to keep the community safe from this highly infectious disease. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment gave an update on Wednesday, March 26. They reported 23 measles cases across six counties. This is a significant increase from the 10 cases reported just a week earlier. Most of the people affected are children, with ages ranging from 0 to 17. There are also two adults between the ages of 25 and 44 who have contracted the disease. So far, no one has been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths. The majority of the cases, 20 out of 23, were unvaccinated. One person was not vaccinated at the appropriate age, one was, and the vaccination status of the last case is still unknown. Children are supposed to get two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose is given between 12 and 15 months, and the second between 4 and 6 years old, before starting kindergarten. Two doses of the vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles and provide lifelong protection. The affected counties are Grant, Gray, Haskell, Kiowa, Morton, and Stevens, all located in the southwest part of the state. Many of these counties have areas with very low vaccination rates. Haskell County, for instance, has reported four of the 23 cases. It has two school districts, Satanta and Sublette, with vaccination coverage of only 85 percent and 41 percent, respectively. Gray County also has low vaccination rates in its school districts. Cimarron-Ensign has 63 percent, and Ingalls has 60 percent. Two other districts in the county did not report their vaccination rates. It is crucial to understand that these low vaccination rates are not just a problem for the unvaccinated. Measles is highly contagious, and it can spread quickly in communities with low vaccination coverage. This puts everyone at risk, including those who are vaccinated but have weakened immune systems. It is important for everyone to do their part in keeping the community safe by getting vaccinated. Measles is a serious disease that can lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. It is preventable through vaccination. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. It is important for parents to make sure their children are up to date on their vaccinations. It is also important for adults to make sure they are vaccinated, especially if they are planning to travel to areas with outbreaks. By working together, we can stop the spread of measles and keep our communities safe.