I was at the hospital when the call came in. It was a Thursday morning, and I hadn’t even hit the 24-hour mark since my C-section. I was trying to savor my first meal post-surgery, watching my newborn son sleep peacefully in his bassinet.
The call was from CHKD Children’s Hospital, so, naturally, I answered. My 16-month-old daughter had just been released from there earlier in the week after battling a severe bacterial infection that had caused her lymph nodes to swell significantly.
“Hello?” I spoke, my anxiety bubbling as I wondered if they had found something concerning in her bloodwork.
“Hi, I’m a pediatrician at Norfolk Children’s Hospital. I’m checking in on Camille and need to inform you that she may have been exposed to measles during her stay with us.”
My heart sank, and the queasy feeling from the surgery crept back.
She continued, explaining that she was reading from a script and that, based on the advice of the Virginia Department of Health, they were recommending that any young children exposed to measles should receive their second vaccine as soon as possible. Then she inquired about the vaccination status of everyone who had visited my daughter at the hospital, including myself, my husband, my parents, and my almost-three-year-old.
I felt a wave of relief when I remembered that both my daughters had already received their first measles shot, providing them with considerable immunity. Still, my newborn son was another story; the risk of exposing him to the virus without any protection was daunting.
So, under our pediatrician’s guidance, I made the decision to get both of my daughters their second measles-mumps-rubella vaccine earlier than scheduled. Honestly, I had my doubts about this choice—especially with my 16-month-old still recovering from an infection and being somewhat vulnerable. But it seemed like the best option.
Sadly, this situation arose because of parents choosing to forgo vaccinations.
The recent measles scare in Virginia stemmed from a student at a local elementary school. While the vaccination status of that student wasn’t clear in communications from health officials, many local news outlets highlighted the importance of childhood vaccinations. Out of 1,491 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. this year, a staggering 92% involved individuals who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
In fact, 2025 is witnessing the highest number of measles cases since the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000—more than in any year of the past three decades.
Low vaccination rates, largely stemming from vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine movements, are significant contributors to this alarming trend. It’s a stark reminder that parents who opt not to vaccinate their children are fueling these outbreaks—and they will likely continue to rise if circumstances don’t change.
As parents, we’re faced with countless decisions daily, some trivial while others weigh heavily. Balancing the pros and cons, we’re often forced to remember the broader implications of our actions. It’s easy to get swept up in the noise of digital distractions and lose sight of the community health picture.
Let’s reflect for a moment. Back in 1900, infectious diseases, including pneumonia, influenza, and measles, claimed the lives of about 18% of children. Public health measures, including vaccines, drastically shifted those statistics—with less than 1% of children dying before age five today.
Life was perilous for children back then. Many who survived infections like measles faced long-term repercussions, including weakened immune systems or brain damage.
The effectiveness of public health measures like vaccines has inadvertently led to a false sense of security. Many people now believe that diseases like measles are no longer a threat, forgetting that it’s science that has kept serious illness and death from becoming the norm for children.
Today, it’s easy to take health for granted, especially amidst conflicting narratives perpetuated by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. We engage in debates over lesser issues while dismissing the very measures that have safeguarded our communities for decades.
I can’t claim to understand the various personal battles faced by parents choosing not to vaccinate their children. However, I do feel we have a collective responsibility to protect the vulnerable. Author and activist Glennon Doyle’s words resonate: “There’s no such thing as other people’s children.” It’s imperative to ensure safety for those who can’t protect themselves, which is why I advocate for accountability—keeping my kids home when they’re sick, advocating for stricter gun laws, and yes, getting them vaccinated.
Measles is airborne. One infected person can spread it to up to 18 others. To achieve herd immunity, 95% of the population must be fully vaccinated, yet rates among children have dropped since the pandemic, with only 92.5% of kindergartners getting the required measles shot last year.
Just this week, we learned about a school-aged child in California who succumbed to complications from measles due to delays in receiving the vaccine. If my newborn were to contract the virus, he could face a similarly grim fate.
I don’t want my children—or anyone else’s—to become preventable casualties. So I acted; both of my daughters received their second MMR vaccine ahead of time. However, the lingering threat remains, as measles symptoms can manifest up to 21 days post-exposure. Moreover, around 5% of vaccinated children experience a rash and fever, complicating the detection of illness.
Now I find myself anxiously scrutinizing my daughters for any signs of illness. If something arises, I’ll need to contact the Virginia Department of Health for testing, as I can’t risk exposing other children at the pediatrician’s office.
I get why many parents distrust medical institutions. I’ve had my share of less-than-ideal experiences that sow doubt. With the sheer volume of misinformation online, it can be hard to discern whom to trust. Yet I urge you—trust me as a fellow parent directly impacted by these choices, who genuinely seeks the best for all of our children. Trust the healthcare professionals who care for your sick child instead of social media influencers or politicians who frequently alter their stances to fit their narratives.
Despite repeated debunking, theories linking vaccines to autism linger, partly because of figures like RFK Jr., who promised to uncover a cause for the so-called “autism epidemic.” However, with no legitimate medical expertise, he undermines scientific integrity by employing individuals with dubious credentials and misallocating resources for personal gains.
In light of recent threats to vaccine access, a coalition of 34 scientific and medical organizations, including the American Association of Immunologists, issued a statement reaffirming the safety of vaccines.
In a world awash with conspiracy theories, it’s challenging to recognize the far-reaching consequences of opting out of vaccination. A crucial public health initiative has been manipulated and exploited, and sadly, it’s our children who pay the price.
Mother Teresa once said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” The implications of choosing not to vaccinate are all too real. Numerous families in Virginia Beach, including mine, are feeling the impacts of such choices. None of us exists in isolation; our decisions ripple out and influence others in unforeseen ways.
Ultimately, we depend on one another. As parents, we have the ability to avert preventable tragedies by vaccinating our children. I sincerely hope that those skeptical of vaccines will muster the courage to do what’s necessary for the safety of all our kids.
