Why Measles Is Resurging—And The Rise Of Vaccine Hesitancy, with Adam Ratner
Feb 20, 2025
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Dr. Adam Ratner, Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at NYU and author of "Booster Shots," delves into the alarming resurgence of measles in the U.S. He discusses the dramatic decline in vaccination rates following the COVID pandemic and the rise of vaccine hesitancy. Ratner explains why measles is one of the most contagious diseases, its historical significance, and the crucial role vaccines play in public health. The conversation underscores the urgent need to combat misinformation and rebuild trust in vaccinations to protect children's health.
Measles has resurfaced due to increasing vaccine hesitancy, highlighting the urgent need to improve vaccination efforts for public health.
Historical misconceptions about natural immunity and the false autism-vaccine link continue to fuel skepticism, impacting immunization rates and community health.
Deep dives
Rising Measles Cases and Vaccine Efficacy
Measles, declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, has seen a resurgence due to declining vaccination rates, particularly among children. In the first few months of 2024, reported cases have already surpassed those of the previous year, demonstrating the virus's highly contagious nature. Unlike many other illnesses, measles can infect approximately 90% of non-immune individuals, leading to exponential outbreaks if left unchecked. Pediatric authorities emphasize that this increase in measles cases is a direct threat to public health and highlights the urgent need for improved vaccination efforts.
Historical Context of Measles and Vaccination
Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in the 1960s, nearly every child contracted the virus, resulting in severe complications for some, including pneumonia and hospitalization. The development of the vaccine was a major medical breakthrough, significantly reducing mortality rates associated with measles. However, the successful adoption of the vaccine faced challenges due to confusion between different vaccine types and a prevalent belief that natural infection conferred better immunity. This historical view minimized the risks of measles, particularly in affluent communities where mild cases were more common.
Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation
Vaccine hesitancy has persisted since vaccines were first introduced, exacerbated by a fraudulent study in the 1990s falsely linking the MMR vaccine to autism. Despite extensive evidence disproving this connection, the myth continues to fuel skepticism among some parents, resulting in decreased immunization rates. The impact of vaccine hesitancy is observed in community outbreaks, especially where collective immunity is compromised due to lower vaccination uptake. Experts emphasize the importance of community-wide vaccination efforts, as individual choices directly impact public health outcomes.
The Role of Public Health Policies
Effective public health policies, particularly school vaccination mandates, have shown to significantly improve measles vaccination rates and curtail outbreaks. A case study in Texarkana reveals that stringent vaccination policies led to lower infection rates compared to surrounding areas with less stringent guidelines. Such mandates are crucial not just for personal protection but also for protecting vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated. The ongoing challenge is to restore public confidence in vaccines, as low vaccination rates pose a serious risk of preventable diseases returning.
In 2000, the United States declared that measles had been eliminated. But just 15 years later, the disease made a comeback—and it hasn’t gone away since. In this episode, Dr. Adam Ratner, director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at NYU and author of Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health, explains why measles outbreaks are occurring again—as vaccine hesitancy and the antivax movement is on the rise—and what this means for the future of children’s health.
Ratner describes why measles is the most contagious disease we know of, and why it can be particularly harmful to children. As vaccination rates for children and adults continue to decrease in the U.S., are we at risk of undoing decades of medical progress? And what can we do to stop it?
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