MMR Vaccine Rates Decline In 78% of U.S. Counties

MMR Vaccine Rates Decline In 78% of U.S. Counties

The United States is witnessing a significant decline in vaccination rates for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) as reported across more than 2,000 counties, according to a study published in JAMA . Data covering the years 2019 through 2024 show that the county-level mean vaccination rate fell from 93.92% in the pre-pandemic years to 91.26% after the pandemic with 78% of counties reporting declining rates. Only 4 states reported increased rates of MMR vaccination during …

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Americans See the Benefit of MMR Vaccines, Believe Their Risk of Measles is Low

Americans See the Benefit of MMR Vaccines, Believe Their Risk of Measles is Low

Most Americans (83%) believe the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination has benefits that outweigh the possible risks, according to a survey from the University of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, 83% of the 1,653 adults surveyed also say they are not worried that they or someone in their family will contract measles over the next 3 months, which makes sense considering the current rates of MMR vaccination and its high (97%) effectiveness. When asked about the current …

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New Outlook Considers 3 Total MMR Vaccines, Starting at 6 Months

New Outlook Considers 3 Total MMR Vaccines, Starting at 6 Months

Pediatric infectious disease experts are considering revising recommendations to encourage an early, additional dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for 6- to 11-month-old infants in high-risk areas, according to MedPage Today. The shift would change the 2-dose regimen per lifetime to 3 doses, while also getting an earlier start. Public health leaders recently discussed in a JAMA perspective the possibility of expanding vaccine recommendations for infants who live in regions with known …

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Moms and Dads Rethink MMR Vaccine in Texas Measles Outbreak

Moms and Dads Rethink MMR Vaccine in Texas Measles Outbreak

The measles outbreak in Texas is spreading, just as many public health officials had anticipated, and now many parents—who had previously opted out—are making appointments for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines for their children, according to local health officials speaking to NBC. A mobile unit stationed outside of emergency departments in the affected areas is currently offering measles testing and vaccines. Kids who were previously unvaccinated accounted for about half of the MMR shots provided at the …

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More Measles Cases Expected in Texas Outbreak

More Measles Cases Expected in Texas Outbreak

A measles outbreak in Texas grew to 58 cases over the course of about a month as of February 18, 2025, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The first 2 cases were detected in January. As of this week, the vast majority of cases were reported in Gaines County. All but 4 cases involve either unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, according to the department, and confirmed cases are primarily …

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Ongoing Mumps Surge Speaks to Need for Broad-based Urgent Care

Ongoing Mumps Surge Speaks to Need for Broad-based Urgent Care

Coming off its highest calendar-year incidence in a decade, mumps struck 495 people in the U.S. in the first 28 days of 2017 alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The cases are spread across the entire breadth of the country, from Washington to Pennsylvania, pointing to a need for vigilance and preparedness in urgent centers in every region. First, clinics must be ready to assess patients and confirm or dismiss a …

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