Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Surging Measles Cases In US Prompting Antivaxxers To Quietly Embrace MMR Vaccine: Report

The vaccine-preventable measles is surging worldwide, especially in the US. The outbreaks that began in Texas last year are now spreading to several other states, with Utah being the new center of the highly contagious disease.

The US, which eliminated measles in 2000, is also at great risk of losing its status, as the CDC reported 1,748 confirmed cases across 33 jurisdictions between January 1 and April 16, 2026. Over 94 per cent of these cases are linked to ongoing outbreaks, the CDC said.

While the best way to prevent infection remains the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, anti-vaxxers, goaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have stayed away from the vaccine.

However, watching an outbreak rip through their state has made the deadly realities of the disease more concrete. 

Amid the soaring cases, Bloomberg News reported a quiet change among anti-vaxxers, as they have started to question their own deeply held beliefs and the conspiracy theories that fueled them.

Many of them have taken the MMR vaccination and then also posted emotional TikTok videos aimed at the anti-vax crowd, saying, “You can change your mind”. 

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/measles-again-on-the-rise-globally-is-india-at-risk-article-153985451" data-type="tilCustomLink">Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?</a>

<h2>Measles: Rise In MMR Vaccine Uptake</h2>

In several measles hotspots, there has been an uptake in the MMR shot that is slowing down the outbreaks, the report said.

The health department in South Carolina saw a nearly 170 per cent increase in MMR immunizations at free clinics in January from the year prior and is close to declaring its outbreak over.

MMR vaccines jumped 15 per cent in Texas last year before the state declared its outbreak over in August. Utah’s health department has also recorded a bump in immunizations since last summer, a hopeful sign for the country’s most active current outbreak.

The report cited that doctors are playing a key role in trying to build trust with no pressure or judgment. They are easing the anti-vaxxers' concerns and giving them the crucial assurance that their choice is deeply personal and private.

“For whatever reason, they have different information,” Stuart Simko, a pediatrician in Greer, South Carolina, was quoted as saying. 

“You don't have to tell anybody you gave your child any sort of vaccine,” Simko added.

Lisa Carroll, a physician in South Carolina and professor at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, helps run a weekly outreach program at a local food pantry where she’s increasingly encountered more families asking about the MMR. Many of them aren’t explicitly anti-vaccine; they just don’t know much about the shot or where to get it, she said. It was just easier for some of them to sign an exemption form, the report said.

In these cases, education on the true risk and safety of the MMR has led to that change of mindset, Carroll said.

How Effective Is the Measles Vaccine? Who Needs A Booster Shot?

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/vaccinated-and-still-worried-truth-about-measles-vaccine-safety-and-effectiveness-article-151472665" data-type="tilCustomLink">Vaccinated And Still Worried? Truth About Measles Vaccine Safety And Effectiveness</a>

One dose of the MMR vaccine gives about 95 per cent protection against measles. If a second dose is given—usually between 4 and 6 years old—protection shoots up to about 99 per cent.

The vaccine is also 99 per cent effective against rubella and 88 per cent against mumps after the second dose. This is the reason why the two-dose schedule is the international norm. Indeed, measles vaccination alone is responsible for more than 60 per cent of all childhood lives saved by vaccines worldwide over the past 50 years. 

In general, a measles vaccine booster may be advisable for:<ul><li> Children who received only one dose of the MMR vaccine</li><li> Adults who were vaccinated with the inactivated version between 1963 and 1967</li><li> High-risk adults, such as healthcare workers or international travellers</li><li> Anyone whose blood test shows a lack of immunity.</li></ul>

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Measles

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Measles in US

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The vaccine-preventable measles is surging worldwide, especially in the US. The outbreaks that began in Texas last year are now spreading to several other states, with Utah being the new center of the highly contagious disease.  The US, which eliminated measles in 2000, is also at great risk of losing its status, as the CDC reported 1,748 confirmed cases across 33 jurisdictions between January 1 and April 16, 2026. Over 94 per cent of these cases are linked to ongoing outbreaks, the CDC said. While the best way to prevent infection remains the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, anti-vaxxers, goaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have stayed away from the vaccine. However, watching an outbreak rip through their state has made the deadly realities of the disease more concrete.  Amid the soaring cases, Bloomberg News reported a quiet change among anti-vaxxers, as they have started to question their own deeply held beliefs and the conspiracy theories that fueled them. Many of them have taken the MMR vaccination and then also posted emotional TikTok videos aimed at the anti-vax crowd, saying, “You can change your mind”. Read More: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?Measles: Rise In MMR Vaccine UptakeIn several measles hotspots, there has been an uptake in the MMR shot that is slowing down the outbreaks, the report said. The health department in South Carolina saw a nearly 170 per cent increase in MMR immunizations at free clinics in January from the year prior and is close to declaring its outbreak over. MMR vaccines jumped 15 per cent in Texas last year before the state declared its outbreak over in August. Utah’s health department has also recorded a bump in immunizations since last summer, a hopeful sign for the country’s most active current outbreak. The report cited that doctors are playing a key role in trying to build trust with no pressure or judgment. They are easing the anti-vaxxers' concerns and giving them the crucial assurance that their choice is deeply personal and private. “For whatever reason, they have different information,” Stuart Simko, a pediatrician in Greer, South Carolina, was quoted as saying. “You don't have to tell anybody you gave your child any sort of vaccine,” Simko added.Lisa Carroll, a physician in South Carolina and professor at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, helps run a weekly outreach program at a local food pantry where she’s increasingly encountered more families asking about the MMR. Many of them aren’t explicitly anti-vaccine; they just don’t know much about the shot or where to get it, she said. It was just easier for some of them to sign an exemption form, the report said. In these cases, education on the true risk and safety of the MMR has led to that change of mindset, Carroll said. How Effective Is the Measles Vaccine? Who Needs A Booster Shot?Also read: Vaccinated And Still Worried? Truth About Measles Vaccine Safety And EffectivenessOne dose of the MMR vaccine gives about 95 per cent protection against measles. If a second dose is given—usually between 4 and 6 years old—protection shoots up to about 99 per cent. The vaccine is also 99 per cent effective against rubella and 88 per cent against mumps after the second dose. This is the reason why the two-dose schedule is the international norm. Indeed, measles vaccination alone is responsible for more than 60 per cent of all childhood lives saved by vaccines worldwide over the past 50 years. In general, a measles vaccine booster may be advisable for: Children who received only one dose of the MMR vaccine Adults who were vaccinated with the inactivated version between 1963 and 1967 High-risk adults, such as healthcare workers or international travellers Anyone whose blood test shows a lack of immunity.