The Return of Measles & What It Means For Texans
By Kelly Jolet, MD FAAP
April 2025
By now, you’ve probably heard a lot about a measles outbreak in several West Texas counties. As of late March, there were at least 400 cases of measles, 40 hospitalizations, and tragically, the death of a healthy school-aged child whose parents had refused vaccination. A second death is under investigation. This outbreak has spread to New Mexico and possibly to a third state. Locally, we had a scare about a young person from this community potentially spreading measles in San Marcos and San Antonio. This family had also visited Buccee’s, which we all know is a super-spreader event waiting to happen. And I LOVE Buccee’s!
Measles Outbreak in West Texas: What You Need to Know
By now, you’ve probably heard a lot about a measles outbreak in several West Texas counties. As of late March, there were at least 400 cases of measles, 40 hospitalizations, and tragically, the death of a healthy school-aged child whose parents had refused vaccination. A second death is under investigation. This outbreak has spread to New Mexico and possibly to a third state. Locally, we had a scare about a young person from this community potentially spreading measles in San Marcos and San Antonio. This family had also visited Buccee’s, which we all know is a super-spreader event waiting to happen. And I LOVE Buccee’s!
Potential For Long-Term Symptoms
In 2000, the World Health Organization declared that the U.S. had eliminated measles, but unfortunately, we are likely to lose that designation because of dropping vaccination rates.
Now, measles is really, really serious, and really, really contagious. Not only are the acute symptoms miserable, but secondary infections such as pneumonia can prove fatal, and long-term neurological damage may not be visible for years.
Rumors about Measles Protection
One rumor that has been circulating is that children can be protected from measles by taking large doses of Vitamin A. There are a few things wrong with this rumor. First, this is probably only true for kids who are vitamin A deficient, which is very rare in our country. Second, large doses of Vitamin A are very dangerous, causing liver and brain damage. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin that can accumulate in fatty tissues of our body. Besides a healthy diet and a multivitamin, we don’t recommend Vitamin A supplementation without strict supervision.
Measles Vaccination Recommendations
We want to address the current recommendations about early vaccination. Kids typically don’t get their first MMR until 12 months. We’ve been lucky in Travis/Williamson/Hays counties, and the public health services are not recommending early vaccination just yet. Getting the vaccine too early isn’t dangerous, but it has less chance of being protective if given too young, and it will have to be repeated after the first birthday anyway. Families who are traveling internationally or into affected areas are encouraged to get the MMR as early as 6 months.
The second rumor that can’t seem to fade away is that the MMR vaccine causes autism. It doesn’t. It’s really safe, and really, really effective. As pediatricians, we would do anything to keep your kids safe. MMR doesn’t cause autism. What does? Well, that’s a complicated question, but the culprit is not vaccines. More on that another time.
Protecting Babies Before Vaccination
Protecting Babies Before Vaccination
Finally, for our families whose babies are not yet able to get vaccinated, a couple of good things to remember. First, there is good protection for babies from their maternal antibodies for about 6 months, maybe even a little more. However, if you believe that your child has been exposed before they have been vaccinated, we need to know immediately because there are some things we can do to protect them, including early vaccination or a protective antibody injection.
We are ALL sick and tired of thinking about vaccines. We’re all PTSD’d out from COVID too! But let’s keep in mind that measles is an old enemy that we had nearly knocked out. We’re taking it seriously, and we hope you’ll do the same.
Stay well!! Enjoy the bluebonnets!
Learn More About Measles and Vaccines
For more information on the importance of measles vaccinations, visit CDC Measles Page and WHO Measles Fact Sheet.
