Concerns Rise Over Measles and Vaccination Gaps

Tomorrow, Kasey will be seven weeks old. Her parents have kept a list of loved ones she hasn’t yet met, including her great-grandparents in the Midwest and relatives in Arizona, some of whom are ill and may not have much time left to travel. The underlying issue? Measles.

In Utah, the official narrative suggests that the worst of the outbreak is behind them. Guidance on the measles vaccination has reverted to the standard age of 12 months, after a brief period of allowing earlier shots due to higher infection rates. However, national numbers tell a different story, showing that cases have already surpassed last year’s totals.

For Abby Laskey and Liam Hammons, Kasey’s parents living in Mill Creek near Salt Lake City, the situation hasn’t improved. Kasey is too young to receive the MMR vaccine, which she can get only after six months, but more typically at a year. Until then, her safety hinges entirely on herd immunity—everyone else’s immunity, really.

As a result, Abby and Liam have adjusted their lives around a virus that is supposedly diminishing. They’ve avoided museums and indoor venues, refrained from flying, and while they are vaccinated and careful, they still cannot introduce Kasey to those who are eager to meet her. Abby expressed concern, noting, “There’s not a guarantee that by the time she’s fully vaccinated, they’ll be able to meet her at all.”

A thought that has lingered with me is how they’ve borrowed authority from others to explain their caution to older family members. They’ve mentioned that “the pediatricians are really cautioning against travel.” This tactic created discomfort for Liam, who felt they were shifting responsibility onto professionals who are already facing scrutiny. You can almost anticipate the grandparents’ responses: pediatricians seem to be overreacting, as measles was just a common childhood illness when they were young. It’s a tough spot to be in, making medical professionals the reason for their isolation.

Shifting Responsibilities of Vaccination

Vaccination used to distribute the burden of community protection evenly. When a majority are immune, even those too young to be vaccinated, like a six-week-old, are somewhat shielded by the immunity of others. But as coverage declines—national MMR rates dropped from 95.2% five years ago to 92.5% last year—this safety net weakens. When that wall of immunity thins, the risks shift to the most vulnerable: the immunocompromised, newborns, and families like Kasey’s.

During a conversation, Abby returned to an unsettling thought about stories of children who suffer long-term consequences from measles. They referred to the phenomenon of immune amnesia, where measles not only makes a child ill at the time but also damages their immune memory, making them more susceptible to other infections for an extended period. Research has shown that this increased vulnerability can last for about 28 months, leading to higher mortality rates from other illnesses in the aftermath of measles. This ties into what some call “cultural immune amnesia,” where society forgets the real dangers posed by these diseases. Both forms of amnesia, personal and societal, seem to be playing out simultaneously.

Heightened Numbers Amid Ongoing Outbreak

As of mid-July, the U.S. reported 2,295 confirmed measles cases in 2026, already exceeding last year’s total and marking the highest count in 35 years, with over five months left in the year. Even without reaching that alarming threshold, 2026 is on pace to exceed the previous year’s numbers, with approximately 97% of cases stemming from U.S. communities. Utah alone has documented 518 cases across 22 counties, an unprecedented spread.

Genetic analysis links these cases in Utah to a single ongoing outbreak that began in West Texas in January 2025, a trend now confirmed in at least four other states.

Impending Loss of Measles Elimination Status

The U.S. has held its measles elimination status since 2000, which requires no ongoing domestic transmission for a full year. The Pan American Health Organization will evaluate this status in November, but based on current trends, it seems that the U.S. has already forfeited it.

“This didn’t have to be,” Abby said, voicing frustration rather than fear of the virus itself. Liam chimed in, expressing concerns about the lost trust in the system: “If we’re losing the plot on this one, what’s next?” He emphasized that rebuilding trust will require time, resulting in unnecessary suffering and preventable deaths.

Kasey’s parents will continue to keep her at home, opting for outdoor family gatherings rather than flying, leaving her great-grandparents waiting for a chance to meet her.