Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Are on the Rise: Why We Should All Be Concerned

A tragic story out of Texas recently sent shockwaves through the medical community—a young, unvaccinated child lost their life to measles, a disease that was once considered eradicated in the United States. The outbreak didn't just end there. Multiple other children and adults were infected, prompting public health officials to scramble to contain the spread.

As a physician, this hits hard. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a case of measles in my life. All I remember was learning about "Koplik spots" in medical school. (Just kidding... but not really.) Measles was something I thought I’d never actually see outside of a textbook. Yet, here we are, facing outbreaks of diseases we thought were long gone.

The Unsettling Return of Measles

Measles is not just a rash and fever. It’s a highly contagious virus that can cause severe complications like pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death. The mode of transmission? It’s airborne. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. That means you can catch it just by walking into a room where someone with measles has been—hours after they’ve left.

To put it bluntly: Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people around them who are not immune will also become infected.

We Were So Close to Eradicating Measles

In 2000, the United States declared measles eliminated, meaning there was no continuous transmission of the disease for more than 12 months. This was a massive public health victory, made possible by widespread vaccination.

So why are we seeing outbreaks again? The answer is complicated but boils down to declining vaccination rates. Misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and even outright refusal have created pockets of unvaccinated communities, allowing measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases to resurface.

It’s Not Just Measles—Other Diseases Are Making a Comeback

Measles is just the tip of the iceberg. Pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, and even polio are making a comeback in areas with low vaccination rates. Let’s be real—these diseases are no joke. Polio, for instance, can cause irreversible paralysis. Whooping cough can be deadly, particularly for infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.

And here’s what’s scary: Once these diseases take hold in a community, they can spread like wildfire. We’re talking about viruses and bacteria that are highly contagious and, in some cases, deadly.

The Legacy of COVID-19: A Double-Edged Sword

I get it. I’m so over COVID-19. But the pandemic left a complicated legacy. On one hand, it showcased the power of vaccines to control a deadly virus. On the other hand, it fueled skepticism and misinformation about vaccines in general.

This has bled over into childhood vaccinations, contributing to declining immunization rates. And while we’re on the topic, let’s not forget that many people are still suffering from Long COVID. We don’t need another outbreak—especially for something highly contagious but still vaccine-preventable.

Why This Matters: It’s Not Just About You

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to see polio, measles, or another terrible disease make a comeback. It’s not just about individual choice; it’s about community health. Herd immunity protects those who can’t get vaccinated, like newborns, the immunocompromised, and people undergoing cancer treatments.

Vaccination isn’t just a personal health decision—it’s a community responsibility. When vaccination rates drop, we all pay the price. And tragically, the most vulnerable among us pay the highest price.

We’ve Been Here Before—and We Can Do Better

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2019, the U.S. experienced the largest measles outbreak in 27 years, primarily affecting unvaccinated communities. Public health officials worked tirelessly to contain it, but it was a stark reminder of what happens when vaccination rates drop.

We have the tools to prevent this. We have vaccines that are safe, effective, and readily available. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel—we just need to use it.

What Can You Do?

1. Get Vaccinated: If you or your loved ones are behind on vaccines, schedule an appointment today. This isn’t just about protecting yourself; it’s about protecting your community.

2. Educate Yourself and Others: Misinformation is deadly. Seek out credible sources for vaccine information, like the CDC, WHO, and trusted medical professionals.

3. Advocate for Public Health: Support policies that promote vaccination and public health education. Encourage schools and communities to keep vaccination requirements in place.

We are at a critical crossroads. Vaccine-preventable diseases are making a comeback, and it’s within our power to stop them. The death of a child in Texas should serve as a tragic wake-up call. This is not normal. This is not acceptable.

We owe it to our children, our communities, and ourselves to prevent outbreaks of diseases we have the power to stop. It’s not just about avoiding discomfort or inconvenience. It’s about saving lives.

The stakes are high, but the solution is simple: Vaccination. We have a responsibility to act before history repeats itself. Let’s not wait for more tragic headlines to remind us of what’s at risk.

It’s time to step up, speak out, and protect the future. I don’t know about you, but I refuse to stand by and watch preventable diseases make a comeback. The time to act is now.