Let's say I have measles and I walk through a room of a 100 people. When I get to the other side of that, when I'm can all these 100 people in there, about 85 of those people will probably come down with measles. That's how contagious it is.>> We are in Spartanberg County, South Carolina, covering the measles outbreak. We just got word today, new numbers suggest nine new cases of the measles since last week in this area. This is where public health officials are warning that these measles infections have ac ...

Vaccine Policy & Public Health - A federal panel's new rules for COVID shots could reduce vaccine availability [1] - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ASIP) recommended that individuals under 65 consult a doctor before receiving the COVID vaccine, differing from previous recommendations for all Americans aged 6 months and older [2] - The panel also voted to restrict the use of the MMRV vaccine, advising against its use for children under four years old [2][3] - Childhood vaccination rates have been declining, leading to nearly 1,500 documented measles cases in the US this year, the highest level in over 25 years [10] Historical Context & Impact of Vaccines - In 1900, the US life expectancy was 473%, significantly lower than today's 784% due to infant and child mortality from preventable diseases [5][6] - Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in the early 1960s, the US saw 3 to 4 million measles cases annually, with 400 to 500 deaths [8] - Measles deaths declined by 90% in the decade after the introduction of measles vaccines, and measles was considered eliminated in the US in 2000 [9] - Vaccines are considered a top innovation for contributing to health, longevity, and overall human well-being [14] Skepticism vs Pseudoscience & Public Trust - The discussion around vaccines is not solely scientific, as panels are now populated with vaccine critics, some of whom have profited from that position [16] - It's important to distinguish legitimate skepticism, which is part of science, from pseudoscience, as public trust and polarization are key issues [17][19] - Herd immunity is crucial, and decreased vaccination rates can affect many people [21][22] - Vaccination is a public health issue and a shared responsibility for the safety and health of the community [22][23]

Vaccination Rate Decline - Since 2019, 77% of counties and jurisdictions have experienced a decline in vaccination rates [3] - 68% of counties and jurisdictions collecting MMR data now have rates below the 95% target for herd immunity [4] - St Louis kindergarten measles vaccination rates dropped from nearly 90% in 2010 to 74% in 2024 [11] Exemption Increase - 53% of counties and jurisdictions saw their exemption rates more than double from their first year of data to their most recent [6] - Exemptions are granted for religious and philosophical reasons, not just medical reasons [6][8] Contributing Factors - Growing vaccine hesitancy, fueled by online misinformation, contributes to the decline [9] - Lower-income areas face difficulties in accessing vaccines, impacting vaccination rates [10] - Some schools may be overlooking vaccine mandates due to concerns about losing federal funding [12][14] Potential Consequences - Experts predict another outbreak is a matter of time [16] - A potential outbreak in a city like St Louis could have significantly larger consequences than the Gaines County outbreak, which saw 100 hospitalizations and two child deaths [11]

To go to premier charter school in St. Louis, students have to be up todate on their vaccines and go. >> School nurse Virginia Wilson makes sure they are.>> So, it's a big chunk of your job in the beginning of the school year. >> It is my entire job at the beginning of the school year. >> And she says it's getting harder.>> How many kindergarteners this year needed vaccines. >> We probably at for our school around like 20% need them. NBC News medical unit and researchers at Stanford University crunched scho ...