As the United States grapples with a resurgence of measles, health officials in Texas and neighboring states are mobilizing to contain the outbreak. The western Texas town of Lubbock is at the epicenter of this surge, which has spread into New Mexico and Oklahoma. The situation is exacerbated by plummeting vaccination rates and rampant disinformation about vaccines, posing a significant public health challenge.
The Outbreak and Its Epicenter
In early 2025, Texas faced a tragic wake-up call when a child from Lubbock, who had not been vaccinated against measles, succumbed to the disease. Measles, a highly contagious virus, was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, thanks to robust vaccination programs. However, complacency and vaccine hesitancy have allowed the virus to make a devastating comeback.
The outbreak’s concentration in Lubbock, particularly within a Mennonite religious community known for vaccine hesitancy, underscores the vulnerabilities in the state’s immunization coverage. Health officials report dozens of cases in Texas, with spillover into New Mexico and Oklahoma, prompting urgent containment measures.
Texas’s Low Vaccination Rates: A Growing Concern
According to Texas health department data for the 2023-24 school year, the overall measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rate among kindergartners was 94.3%, slightly below the 95% threshold recommended by federal agencies to prevent outbreaks. However, this state average masks significant regional disparities.
Mercy Culture Preparatory Academy in Fort Worth exemplifies the crisis, with only 14% of incoming kindergartners vaccinated against measles. During a school board meeting, the atmosphere was celebratory, with balloons and T-shirts proclaiming the school as the “#1 school in Texas for least amount of vaccinations.” Pastor Landon Schott, a prominent religious figure with over 48,000 Instagram followers, praised families for exercising “freedom of health” and rejecting “government or science projects.”
State Representative Nate Schatzline echoed this sentiment, highlighting the school’s stance in a video shared with his 17,000 X followers. These endorsements of vaccine refusal have amplified vaccine skepticism, complicating public health efforts.
Public Health Officials Respond
Terri Burke, Executive Director of the Immunization Partnership, describes the response as “stressful and stretched beyond belief,” with public health workers working around the clock. A public health director in one affected county reported working over a month without a day off, illustrating the crisis’s strain on resources and personnel.
In Tarrant County, home to Mercy Culture Preparatory, local health officials anticipate measles cases despite the absence of reported cases so far. Chief Epidemiologist Russ Jones warns that unvaccinated pockets, such as those in Mercy Culture Preparatory, increase vulnerability if the virus infiltrates these communities.
Efforts to contain the outbreak include direct communication with schools, daycares, and coordination with hospitals. Community clinics across Texas have ramped up vaccine availability, emphasizing preventive measures.
The Role of Disinformation in Vaccine Hesitancy
Public health experts identify disinformation as a critical barrier to vaccination efforts. Dr. Philip Huang, Director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, highlights social media as a double-edged sword, where misinformation spreads as quickly as factual information. Distrust in government and the politicization of vaccinations further fuel hesitancy.
Social media platforms have become breeding grounds for vaccine myths, with influencers and community leaders amplifying unfounded fears. This misinformation undermines years of public health work, threatening herd immunity and increasing outbreak risks.
Regional Responses: New Mexico and Oklahoma
New Mexico has faced its own outbreak, reporting dozens of cases. Public health officials, led by Jimmy Masters, Southeast Regional Director for New Mexico’s Department of Public Health, have established free vaccination clinics in high-risk counties, including Lea, Eddy, and Chaves. The state has administered nearly 10,000 MMR doses in six weeks, nearly doubling the previous year’s numbers for the same period.
Oklahoma has followed suit, with community clinics and public awareness campaigns focusing on vaccine education and accessibility.
The Critical Role of Primary Care Physicians
Primary care physicians are pivotal in combating the outbreak. Dr. Russ Jones and other experts urge parents to consult their physicians about vaccinations. Physicians are encouraged to address vaccine concerns directly, dispelling myths and reinforcing the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
Pediatricians like Dr. Ana Montanez in Lubbock emphasize the importance of maintaining trust in vaccines. Dr. Montanez praises the increased vaccination efforts in New Mexico and stresses the collective responsibility to protect communities.
The Science Behind the MMR Vaccine
The MMR vaccine is highly effective, with two doses offering 97% protection against measles. Measles is notorious for its high transmissibility, with one infected person capable of infecting 90% of close contacts. The disease can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, particularly in unvaccinated populations.
Public health officials stress the vaccine’s role in preventing outbreaks and saving lives, urging communities to adhere to vaccination schedules.
Challenges in Public Health Communication
The measles outbreak highlights broader issues in public health communication. Dr. Huang stresses the need for transparent, fact-based communication strategies to counter misinformation. Health departments have increased efforts to engage with schools, healthcare providers, and community leaders to reinforce vaccine benefits.
The Political Dimension of Vaccine Hesitancy
The politicization of vaccines, especially in regions with strong anti-vaccine sentiments, complicates public health efforts. Politicians like State Rep. Schatzline and religious leaders like Pastor Schott leverage vaccine skepticism for political and ideological gains, influencing public opinion and policy.
This political environment hampers scientific communication and undermines trust in health authorities, exacerbating the outbreak.
Lessons from Previous Outbreaks
The U.S. faced a similar crisis during the 2018-19 measles outbreaks, concentrated in Orthodox Jewish communities in New York. Aggressive vaccination campaigns, community engagement, and targeted communication were key to containment efforts then. Health officials hope to replicate these strategies in Texas and neighboring states.
Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure
The current outbreak underscores the need for robust public health infrastructure. Health officials advocate for increased funding for vaccination programs, enhanced communication strategies, and stronger partnerships between government agencies, healthcare providers, and communities.
Terri Burke calls for additional resources to support overstretched public health workers and expand vaccination efforts.
The measles outbreak in Texas and its neighboring states is a stark reminder of the consequences of vaccine hesitancy and disinformation. As health officials work tirelessly to contain the spread, the fight against misinformation is as crucial as the fight against the virus itself. Public health experts urge communities to prioritize vaccinations, emphasizing that protecting individual health safeguards the entire community.
The situation in Texas serves as a cautionary tale for other states, highlighting the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to prevent the resurgence of eradicated diseases like measles.
