The live attenuated vaccines don’t appear to cause new or worsening symptoms for MS patients.
Low coverage was seen in West Texas, southern New Mexico, northern Arizona, parts of Mississippi, and the rural Southeast.
In another sign of growing vaccine hesitancy, a new report finds that the percentage of US toddlers vaccinated on time against measles, mumps and rubella has fallen since the COVID pandemic.
Overall, 63% of Americans say they are extremely or very confident that routine childhood vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness.
Among US adults, 23% say RFK Jr recommends that kids should get the measles vaccine, 29% say he does not recommend it, and 48% aren't sure.
One study found fairly high rates of flu, mumps, and hepatitis A, and the other found that only 28% of adults have been vaccinated against tetanus and diphtheria.
A call to develop separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines to replace the combined MMR shot is not backed by evidence.
For example, while overall coverage was 82% in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, school-based rates were as low as 46%.
A further 5% drop in coverage could substantially increase outbreak magnitudes in Texas, while restricting non–medical exemptions could increase US uptake.
The committee removes a long-standing ACIP recommendation that said parents may choose the MMRV vaccine for kids 12 to 47 months old.
