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| source : health.harvard.edu |
As someone who grew up assuming measles was a thing of the past, this hi
ts differently. So I dug in. What’s behind the resurgence? Turns out, a mix of declining vaccination rates, international travel, and, honestly, a bit of collective complacency.
Vaccinations Are Dropping Fast
A recent multistate study looked at over 2,000 counties across 33 states, and the results are worrying: 78% of those counties have seen a decline in MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccinations.
To give you context:
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Herd immunity for measles kicks in when 95% of a population is vaccinated.
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The current average in the study? 91%. That might not sound like a big gap, but with a virus as contagious as measles, every percent matters.
This decline has been steady over the past few years, likely fueled by misinformation, pandemic-era disruptions in routine healthcare, and growing vaccine hesitancy.
International Travel Is a Major Factor
According to the CDC’s updated guidance, it’s not just about local transmission anymore. The majority of recent exposures in U.S. airports and transit hubs have been linked to international travel. What’s more surprising? You don’t even need to visit a country with a known outbreak, transmission can happen mid-flight or at the airport gate.
So the CDC now strongly recommends that:
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All international travelers (regardless of destination) make sure their MMR vaccinations are up to date.
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Children as young as 6 months can receive early vaccination if traveling abroad.
In other words, traveling without protection is a gamble, not just for you, but for everyone around you.
Why This Matters Right Now
You might be thinking, “Okay, but isn’t measles just a rash and a fever?” Not quite. Measles can lead to:
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Pneumonia
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Brain swelling
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Long-term immune system damage
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And in some cases, death
And here’s the kicker: it’s one of the most contagious diseases on the planet. One infected person can spread it to up to 90% of the unvaccinated people they come into contact with.
Real Talk: What Can We Do?
Here’s what I’ve taken from all this (and what public health experts keep repeating):
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Double-check your vaccination records, especially before traveling.
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If you’ve got kids, make sure they’re on schedule with their MMR doses.
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Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure whether you’re protected, especially if you were born between 1963 and 1989 when vaccine practices varied.
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And if you’re traveling abroad (even just to Canada or Europe), don’t skip this step. Many of the 2024–2025 outbreaks started with “just one traveler.”
Final Thought
Look, I get it vaccine fatigue is real. Between flu shots, COVID boosters, and now this, it can feel like a lot. But measles isn’t just “another childhood disease.” It’s deadly, fast-spreading, and right now, it’s finding gaps in our immunity.
We’ve beaten it before. We can beat it again. But only if we treat this like the serious threat it is, and take a little personal responsibility before our next passport stamp.