12/11/2025
If you were born between 1963 & 1989, please get re-vaccinated against the measles! And if you are a parent or guardian of a child, protect them from measles and many other scary diseases by seeing that they are fully vaccinated.
Iโm deeply concerned by the recent measles outbreak in South Carolina โ especially in light of what it means for public health, families, and communities. According to recent reports, the outbreak has already forced unvaccinated close contacts into quarantine, disrupted daily life, and raised real risk for serious health consequences.
Hereโs why this matters โ and why vaccination is so important ๐ก๏ธ
๐ What is measles โ and how serious can it be:
- Measles (Rubeola) is one of the most contagious diseases we know. If someone around you isnโt protected, up to 9 out of 10 susceptible people nearby can catch it. ๏ฟผ
- Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure, and include high fever (sometimes over 104 ยฐF), cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, and the tell-tale rash. ๏ฟผ
- Many people think itโs โjust a rash and fever,โ but measles can be much more dangerous. Complications include pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhea, brain inflammation (encephalitis), and even long-term brain damage. ๏ฟผ
โ ๏ธ The real โ and scary โ risks:
- About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles in the U.S. end up hospitalized.
- Up to 1 in 20 children will get pneumonia โ the most common cause of death from measles in young kids. ๏ฟผ
- About 1 in 1,000 cases develop encephalitis (brain swelling), which can result in permanent neurologic damage, deafness, seizures, or death. ๏ฟผ
- Even years after recovery, a rare complication known as Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can emerge โ a fatal neurological disease linked to having had measles as a child. ๏ฟผ
๐ What quarantine and exposure means for families:
Local health authorities (in SC) have been identifying close-contacts and telling people who are not immune to stay home and away from others for 21 days โ even if they donโt yet feel sick. Thatโs because people with measles can spread the virus before symptoms or rash appear. ๏ฟผ
That kind of quarantine can disrupt work, school, social life โ and itโs a serious burden on families and communities.
๐ Why vaccination remains our strongest defense:
- The recommended vaccine (MMR vaccine) gives long-lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella. ๏ฟผ
- After two doses, protection against measles is ~97%. ๏ฟผ- In communities with high vaccination rates, outbreaks get stopped before they can spread widely โ protecting babies too young to be vaccinated, immunocompromised people, and others at high risk.
๐ A call to action:
If you, your children, or people you know havenโt had the full MMR vaccination, now is the time to talk to a trusted healthcare provider. Not just for your own sake โ but to protect vulnerable people, prevent quarantine disruption, and help stop this outbreak from growing.
Because measles isnโt just โa rash.โ Itโs a serious illness that can have life-long (or even fatal) consequences.
Vaccination works.
