🚨 Vaccines and the Revival of Measles in Texas: What’s at Stake

Measles has made a worrying comeback in Texas. Find out how misinformation is fueling this outbreak and what individuals can do to fight back.

Feb 26, 2025

😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
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Texas is experiencing a big problem with measles returning after many years of not having it 😷. This is happening because fewer kids are getting the vaccine 💉 that can stop measles, and some people don't believe in the importance of vaccines 🚫. Many communities are working hard to help people understand how important vaccines are to keep everyone safe 🛡️, especially kids 👶.

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🗝️ Takeaways

📉 Alarmingly Low Vaccination Rates: In Gaines County, MMR vaccination rates for kindergarteners have dropped to 81.97%.
📊 High Exemption Rates: Nearly 14% of school-aged children have vaccination exemptions, five times the state average.
⚠️ Preventable Complications: Measles can lead to severe health complications, including pneumonia and death.
💔 First Confirmed Death: The outbreak has resulted in the first preventable death in Texas, highlighting the dire consequences of misinformation.
🤝 Community Action: Local health departments and organizations are stepping up vaccination efforts in light of the outbreak.

The Viral Truth: Measles Returns to Texas While Science Takes a Back Seat

Por la gente y para la gente — for the people and by the people. That's how I've always approached my writing, especially in these times when truth seems optional, and science is treated like just another opinion.

Today's topic hits close to home, both literally and figuratively, as we witness the largest measles outbreak in Texas in over three decades.

When History Repeats Itself (And Not in a Good Way)

Ay, Dios mío. Just when you thought we were making progress in public health, measles — a disease we nearly eliminated in the United States — is having what marketing executives might call a "robust comeback tour" in West Texas. As of February 25, 2025, health officials have confirmed 124 cases across nine counties, with one death, a child, now reported. This isn't just a statistic; it's a tragedy that was entirely preventable.

For those who might have been fortunate enough to forget what measles actually is (or those too young to remember its pre-vaccine reign of terror), let me offer a quick refresher.

Measles is not, despite what certain wellness influencers might suggest, a "childhood rite of passage" or a "natural immunity builder." It's a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and, yes, death.

The virus spreads through respiratory droplets and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. Think of it as COVID's overachieving viral cousin — it's so contagious that 90% of non-immune people who come in contact with an infected person will contract the disease.

In the viral world, measles isn't just playing the game; it's writing the playbook.

Ground Zero: When Exemptions Become the Rule

The epicenter of this outbreak is Gaines County, Texas, which has become something of a petri dish for what happens when vaccination rates plummet. With 80 confirmed cases, this rural county has earned the dubious distinction of hosting the majority of Texas's measles patients.

Let's talk numbers. because numbers tell stories more powerfully than any conspiracy theory video your tío shared on Facebook:

In Gaines County, the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination rate for kindergarteners has dropped to an alarming 81.97% — the lowest in Texas and well below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.
Nearly 14% of school-aged children in the county have exemptions from vaccination requirements, which is over five times the state average.
In some schools, vaccination rates have fallen below 50% — essentially creating viral playgrounds where measles can spread faster than gossip at a family reunion.
The exemption rate in Gaines County has risen to approximately 17%, a dramatic increase from 7% a decade ago.

Qué locura — what madness. Anyone who's studied the pre-vaccine era—that delightful historical period when infectious diseases played population control with the enthusiasm of a toddler with finger paints—finds today's situation not just concerning but infuriating.

Medical archives are filled with accounts of the paralyzing fear that gripped communities when these viral villains swept through, and the collective exhale of relief when vaccines finally crashed the pathogen party.

Now, in what can only be described as evolutionary backsliding of epic proportions, we're voluntarily sending RSVP cards to diseases we once evicted from our epidemiological neighborhood.

It's like firing your home security system during a crime wave because you read on social media that door locks cause furniture to spontaneously combust.

Qué ridículo—what madness.

The Science Is Clear (Even If Politics Isn't)

Let's be crystal clear about something: the supposed link between the MMR vaccine and autism has been debunked more thoroughly than flat Earth theories. The original 1998 study that sparked this myth was retracted after being found fraudulent, and its author, Andrew Wakefield, lost his medical license. Subsequent studies involving millions of children have found no connection between vaccines and autism.

Yet the myth persists, zombielike, refusing to stay buried under the mountain of scientific evidence against it. It's been amplified by celebrities, internet "experts" with the scientific credentials of a potato, and now, disturbingly, by those in positions of political power.

This brings us to our current predicament: an anti-vaccine advocate now heads the Department of Health and Human Services under the reinstalled Trump administration.

Es como poner a un lobo a cuidar las ovejas — it's like putting a wolf in charge of the sheep. When those tasked with protecting public health actively undermine the scientific consensus, we shouldn't be surprised when preventable diseases make a comeback.

The COVID Connection: When One Pandemic Enables Another

The timing of this measles resurgence isn't coincidental. The COVID-19 pandemic did more than disrupt our lives; it created the perfect breeding ground for vaccine skepticism to flourish like bacteria in a warm petri dish.

As we collectively experienced the rapid development of COVID vaccines (which, contrary to popular belief, weren't created from scratch but built on decades of prior research), legitimate questions about safety got mixed with wild conspiracy theories. Social media algorithms, designed to maximize engagement rather than accuracy, amplified the most outrageous claims.

Political leaders who should have united us in the face of a common enemy instead divided us further, turning public health into a partisan battlefield.

The result? A post-pandemic world where vaccine hesitancy isn't just a fringe position but a mainstream political stance. Where school board meetings become shouting matches over immunization requirements. Where pediatricians face hostility for recommending life-saving preventive care.

In Gaines County, the exemption rate has more than doubled since the pre-COVID era. This isn't just vaccine hesitancy; it's a full-blown rejection of the scientific method itself. And now, children are paying the price.

The Human Cost: Beyond the Statistics

Let's remember what measles actually does to a human body, particularly a child's:

First comes the fever, often climbing above 104°F (40°C), accompanied by the three Cs: cough, coryza (runny nose), and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Then, the telltale rash appears, spreading from the face downward across the entire body.

But that's just the beginning. In about one in five cases, complications develop:

Ear infections that can lead to permanent hearing loss
Diarrhea and resulting dehydration
Pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children
Encephalitis (brain swelling) that can cause convulsions, deafness, intellectual disability, or death
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a very rare but fatal disease of the central nervous system that can develop 7-10 years after infection

Among the 124 confirmed cases in Texas, 18 people have been hospitalized.

These aren't just numbers; they're children and adults suffering through a disease that could have been prevented with a simple two-dose vaccine that's 97% effective.

And now, we have our first confirmed death in this outbreak — a preventable tragedy that should shock our collective conscience. Que en paz descanse — may they rest in peace.

Their death wasn't just from measles; it was from misinformation, from political failure, from our societal amnesia about the horrors these diseases caused before vaccines existed.

The Political Landscape: Science Under Siege

The return of Donald Trump to the White House in January 2025 was immediately followed by appointments that signaled a deep hostility toward evidence-based medicine. The nomination of an anti-vaccine advocate to head HHS wasn't an accident or an oversight — it was a deliberate middle finger to the scientific establishment.

This is part of a broader pattern in which expertise is viewed with suspicion, where complex problems are given simplistic, ideologically-driven "solutions," and where loyalty trumps competence. Es un desastre completo — it's a complete disaster.

The new HHS Secretary has already begun dismantling vaccine promotion programs, redirecting funds from immunization campaigns to "natural immunity research," and weakening vaccine requirements for schools and healthcare workers. These aren't just policy changes; they're potential death sentences for the most vulnerable among us.

As someone who grew up in a border community where healthcare was already hard to access, watching these developments feels like watching a slow-motion train wreck. We know exactly what will happen — more outbreaks, more preventable suffering, more deaths — and yet the train keeps accelerating.

The Resistance: Fighting for Science and Survival

But here's the thing about resistance: it thrives in the spaces where official leadership fails. Across Texas and beyond, community organizations, healthcare providers, educators, and ordinary citizens are stepping up to fill the vacuum.

In counties adjacent to Gaines, local health departments are running extended-hours vaccination clinics. School nurses are holding information sessions for parents, addressing fears and misconceptions with patience and respect. Community groups are offering transportation to clinics for families without vehicles.

As mi madre would say, "La salud es la verdadera riqueza" — health is true wealth. And our communities are fighting to protect that wealth, even when those in power seem determined to squander it.

Hope on the Horizon: The Tide Is Turning

Despite the grim statistics, there are reasons for hope.

First, the outbreak has actually prompted some previously vaccine-hesitant parents to seek immunizations for their children. Nothing cuts through misinformation quite like the reality of seeing children in your community hospitalized with a preventable disease.

Second, a grassroots coalition of Texas healthcare providers, educators, civil rights organizations, and faith leaders has formed the "Texas Vaccination Alliance," lobbying for state legislation to tighten non-medical exemption requirements and increase funding for immunization programs.

Third, young people themselves are becoming powerful advocates for vaccination. In several Texas high schools, student groups have organized "Science Stands Strong" clubs, where they educate peers about vaccine science and help eligible students access vaccination without parental consent (which is legal in Texas for minors who qualify as "mature minors").

Finally, in a surprising and encouraging development, a diverse group of religious leaders across Texas has issued a joint statement affirming that protecting community health through vaccination is a moral imperative shared by all faith traditions. When pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams speak with one voice on the importance of vaccines, it cuts across political divides in powerful ways.

Getting Involved: Be Part of the Solution

So, what can you do? Plenty.

Get vaccinated and make sure your family is up-to-date on all recommended immunizations. This isn't just personal protection; it's community protection for those who truly cannot be vaccinated due to age or certain medical conditions.
Speak up with science. When you hear vaccine misinformation in your social circles, family gatherings, or social media feeds, gently but firmly counter it with facts. Share reliable resources from the CDC, WHO, or trusted medical organizations.
Support organizations doing the work. Groups like the Immunization Partnership, the National Hispanic Medical Association, and the Association of American Indian Physicians are actively combating vaccine hesitancy in our communities. They need volunteers, donations, and amplification.
Engage politically. Call your representatives at every level of government. Attend school board meetings when immunization policies are being discussed. Vote for candidates who respect science and public health expertise.
Build bridges, not walls. The most effective advocates for vaccination are often trusted community members. If you're a teacher, healthcare worker, faith leader, or respected elder, your voice carries special weight. Use it.

Remember that vaccine hesitancy often comes from a place of genuine fear and concern, not malice. Approaching these conversations with empathy rather than condemnation is usually more effective. Más moscas se atrapan con miel que con vinagre — you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

The Last Word: History Is Watching Us

As I write this, health officials in Texas are conducting contact tracing, setting up mobile vaccination units, and administering immunoglobulin to those with confirmed exposure. They're fighting a battle that shouldn't need to be fought in 2025.

Yet here we are, watching diseases we once nearly conquered make a comeback because we've forgotten their horror. My grandmother would be heartbroken to see this regression, this willing surrender of one of humanity's greatest achievements — the conquest of deadly infectious diseases through vaccination.

I believe we're at a turning point. Either we recommit to the scientific consensus that has saved hundreds of millions of lives, or we continue down this path of science denial and watch more children suffer from preventable diseases.

I choose to believe we'll make the right choice. That the measles outbreak in Texas will serve as a wake-up call. That parents' love for their children will ultimately triumph over misinformation. That our collective memory of these preventable tragedies will fuel a renewed commitment to public health.

As an Indigenous Chicano writer who believes deeply in both ancestral wisdom and modern science, I see no contradiction in embracing the best tools available to protect our communities. My ancestors used every method at their disposal to ensure the survival of future generations. Vaccines are simply the latest in that long tradition of protecting the young and vulnerable.

Juntos, podemos superar esto — Together, we can overcome this. The measles virus may be making a comeback, but so is the resistance to scientific ignorance. And in the long run, I believe truth will prevail over misinformation, science over superstition, and community health over political expediency.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Has the measles outbreak in your community affected how you or people you know view vaccination?
What strategies have you found effective when discussing vaccines with friends or family members who are hesitant?