Why Measles Is Making a Comeback, New resources, and Questions about Adult Vaccination Needs
The mystery of why measles (and other childhood illnesses) is making an aggressive comeback is well-documented: lack of adequate immunization. As Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, explained: “We had eliminated measles, by far and away the most contagious infectious disease from this country by the year 2000, but it’s come back because people have chosen not to vaccinate their children.”
Because other measures do not provide immunity needed for individuals and community, vaccination is the recognized effective solution. Yet measles immunizations rates have been sliding down in this country.
Likewise, whooping cough is being reported at increasing levels due to lowered immunization rates.
Confused parents and a convincing medical myth
With understandable concern for their children’s safety, parents can become vulnerable to vaccine disinformation and fear-inciting claims, especially when spread by multiple media sources and vocal non-experts who attempt to discredit established medical science.
The most persuasive, damaging and false claim about vaccines is that they can cause autism. That concern was first raised in a report published in 1998 by the respected medical journal Lancet which zeroed in on the MMR vaccine. The evidence? Parents or doctors reported worsening behavior shortly after children in the study received the MMR vaccine. That small study (12 children) which included no control group kicked off an unfounded health scare that has lasted for more 25 years. (Source: National Institute of Health study: The MMR vaccine and autism: Sensation, refutation, retraction, and fraud)
The investigation continues…
A follow-up investigation uncovered a string of falsified claims and discrepancies in the study. For example, several of the children with developmental issues, including autism, had shown symptoms before receiving the MMR vaccine. On top of that, the lead author, Andrew Wakefield, failed to disclose that he was being paid by a law firm that was working on a lawsuit against MMR vaccine makers. Because of that fraudulent paper, Wakefield had his medical license revoked in the UK for “serious professional misconduct.” The Whitfield study was officially retracted by the Lancet in 2010, but by then the damage was done.
Studies conducted around the world looking for an increased risk of autism following MMR vaccines continue to find no evidence. One analysis of data from studies on roughly 1.2 million children found absolutely no link.
Other vaccine myths continue
An April poll (CNN) revealed that “a growing share of adults in the United States have heard false claims about the disease and the vaccine to prevent it – and many aren’t completely confident in their conviction.”
Nearly two-thirds of adults have heard the false claim that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism; about a third of adults have heard the false claim that the measles vaccine is more dangerous than the disease, and a fifth of adults have heard the false claim that vitamin A prevents measles.
An example of a misleading claims which shakes parent’s confidence in vaccines were recent headlines casting doubt on the effectiveness of the MMR, the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. (“It doesn’t work”).
Actually, the measles and rubella vaccines are 97% effective, but the mumps vaccine is less effective. That does not mean the mumps vaccine doesn’t work, or is not worth giving, or is harmful, but, as has been recognized since its development, the mumps vaccine is 90% effective. Of 100 children vaccinated, 90 will be protected from mumps.
And it’s not just MMR.
Thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative used in some vaccines, was also blamed for causing autism, yet studies have found no link between exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. (Source: John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health “Vaccines don’t cause autism. Why do some people think they do?”)
Because so much vaccine misinformation continues circulating, this article ends with additional updated, science-based information should parents and grandparents wish to follow up:
Four resources adults can use to protect themselves and their families from measles and myths
• The IDPH has created a helpful new tool. The Illinois School Vaccination Coverage Dashboard which comes with a tutorial so you can know your community’s vaccination rate and your potential vulnerability.
• Yale University’s recently-updated Fact Sheet “Should You Get a Measles Vaccine Booster?” clarifies adult needs for vaccination. This resource reviews why “People born before 1957 are considered to have “presumptive evidence” of immunity, because nearly everyone born during this period got the disease during childhood.” However, healthcare workers and those who travel internationally are advised to check with their healthcare provider to clarify their status.
• The Center for Science in the Public Interest’s article “How Do We Know That Vaccines Are Safe?” (May 2025) addresses the vaccine approval process, risks, and vaccine safety tracking process.
• Finally, the McHenry County Health Department cites a helpful resource for evaluating health information: “How Do I Know What to Believe?”
