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Health expert says vaccines best defense against measles outbreak

By Patrick Beane

Posted April 14, 2025

Indiana has not been immune to the measles outbreaks across the United States. Six cases were reported last week in Allen County.

Nation-wide, more than 700 cases have been reported across six states. Three people have died from the disease, two children and one adult. All three were unvaccinated.

Health officials said getting the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) is the most effective way to combat the outbreak.

“It’s the most important measure, not only for the prevention of measles, but also to boost community immunity and to protect your own immune system,” public and environmental health expert Graham McKeen said, “because infection with the measles virus can actually cause immune amnesia, to wipe out your immune system's memory.

“So, one dose is about 95% protective, and two doses about 97%.”

Most people are vaccinated as children, as it’s a requirement to attend school. McKeen said those born before 19-57 are assumed to be immune, but some vaccinated adults may not be.

“If you were received the vaccine between 1963 and 1967, there's a small chance you might have gotten an inactivated vaccine and might be recommended for a booster,” he said.

Measles has been considered eradicated in the United States since 2000, but the recent outbreaks are threatening that status. Already this year, there’s been double the amount of measles cases over 2024.

McKeen said the problem with that measles is the most contagious disease among humans.

“A single case of measles and an unprotected population, an unvaccinated population, would generate 12 to 18 additional cases,” McKeen said. “If all of us in this room were susceptible to measles, and one of us had measles, 90% of us would get it in this room. It is that contagious.”

McKeen said he’s frustrated by the anti-vaccination movement, which is being led by some in the government at the federal level.

“We need better clear public health communication, education and public health advocacy,” he said. “I think public health, innately, is political. But we've always kind of stayed out of it. Public health needs to be more political. Public health needs to lobby.”

He said the anti-vaccine messages show a general lack of distrust in the public health system.

“These measures are safe, they're effective,” McKeen said. “They protect the vulnerable, they prevent disease and death, they reduce they reduce costs, they save us money, they reduce burden on the health care system. So why would you not be against that?”

You can schedule an appointment at the Monroe County Public Health Clinic to get the MMR vaccine for anyone over one year old.

Next Monday, the Monroe County Health Department will host an MMR vaccination clinic at the Ellettsville Branch of the Public Library from noon to 6 p.m.