US EditionBabies Are ‘Sitting Ducks’ in Measles Outbreaks, Experts Warn
- South Carolina's measles outbreak, totaling about 1,000 cases, is nearing its end after no new infections since March 17, with the South Carolina Department of Public Health aiming to declare it over by April 26.
- The outbreak began last October, surging after vaccination rates dropped and religious exemptions in Spartanburg County doubled since 2020, becoming the state's worst in more than 35 years.
- Among 997 total cases, 253 involved children 4 and younger, prompting doctors to offer MMR vaccines as early as 6 months old; "Babies become sitting ducks," said Dr. Deborah Greenhouse, a Columbia pediatrician.
- Legislation introduced this year would prohibit vaccine requirements for children under 2, fueling pediatrician concerns about vaccine skepticism; "In other words, it would get rid of those requirements in the day cares," Greenhouse said.
- The U.S. logged 1,671 measles cases in the first three months of 2026, placing the country on the verge of losing its measles-elimination status, which international health officials will determine in November.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Babies, Being Too Young to Receive the Triple Viral Vaccine, Become "Easy Dams" in Measles Outbreaks
With little Arthur too small to receive the measles vaccine and a brother who will be born in June, the Otwells became nervous when the threat of the highly contagious virus began to influence their grocery purchases. “We were going to the Costco that it was a kind of source of contagion,” said John Otwell, who was aware of the state health department’s warnings about public exposure in the store. “Many people simply don’t understand it; they th…
‘Babies become sitting ducks’: Measles resurges in South Carolina amid anti-vaccine push
With baby Arthur too young for the measles vaccine and a sibling due in June, the Otwells grew nervous when the threat of the highly contagious virus started factoring into their grocery run. We go to the Costco that was kind of a hotbed, said John Otwell, who knew about the state health department's warnings of public exposures at the store. A lot of people just dont get it; they think its just a cold. Its not.By Arthurs 9-month checkup, the So…
Babies are ‘sitting ducks’ in measles outbreaks, experts warn
LANDRUM, South Carolina — With baby Arthur too young for the measles vaccine and a sibling due in June, the Otwells grew nervous when the threat of the highly contagious virus started factoring into their grocery run.
Too Young for MMR Vax, Babies Are 'Sitting Ducks' for Measles
With baby Arthur too young for the measles vaccine and a sibling due in June, the Otwells grew nervous when the threat of the highly contagious virus started factoring into their grocery runs. "We go to the Costco that was kind of a hotbed," said John Otwell. "A lot of...
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