By LINDA BOYLE
As we read reports about the measles being an epidemic among the unvaccinated, I thought it would be helpful to present the following data from the CDC web page:
U.S. Measles Cases in 2025
- Total cases: 164
Cases by Age
- Under 5 years: 55 (34%)
- 5-19 years: 79 (48%)
- 20+ years: 29 (18%)
- Age unknown: 1 (1%)
Vaccination Status
- Unvaccinated or Unknown: 95%
- One MMR dose: 3%
- Two MMR doses: 2%
U.S. Hospitalizations in 2025: 20% (32 of 164)
Percent by Age Group Hospitalized
- Under 5 years: 29% (16 of 55)
- 5-19 years: 13% (10 of 79)
- 20+ years: 17% (5 of 29)
- Age unknown: 100% (1 of 1)
U.S. Deaths in 2025: 1
It is important to note some of these cases that were hospitalized were done “to protect other family members, for instance to protect immunocompromised relatives.” In the US population, between 3 and 6.6% of the US population is immunocompromised.
To bring the measles outbreak closer to home, there have been two measles cases in Alaska for 2025.
AP published an article about the outbreak in Lubbock, Texas. Quoted in that article was Dr. Lara Johnson, a pediatrician and Chief Executive Officer at Covenant Health Hospital in Lubbock. This is the site of the only recent US measles death. Dr. Johnson stated, “Unfortunately, like so many viruses, there aren’t any specific treatments for measles. What we’re doing is providing supportive care, helping support the patients as they hopefully recover.”
In 2023, the National Foundation for Infectious Disease issued a call to action, Vitamin A for the management of measles in the US. It recommended all US children presenting with measles “receive an age-appropriate dose of vitamin A as part of a comprehensive measles management protocol, regardless of nutritional status.”
I don’t know if Dr. Johnson used Vitamin A as part of her protocol for her hospitalized patients, but it would seem such treatment modality would be prudent.
Vitamin A has reduced mortality during measles outbreaks. The good news is it is cheap, we have an abundant supply, and there are few side effects when used appropriately. Why isn’t it used routinely to treat measles? Hmm. Perhaps we should ask Big Pharma. Maybe it’s because there is no money to be made.
The CDC recently updated its recommendation to support giving vitamin A “under the supervision of a physician for those with mild, moderate, and severe infection. Studies have found that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality.”
The big push is for people to get their children vaccinated with the Measles-Mumps-Rubella shot. The MMR vaccine is a live virus. Even if you said everyone was mandated to take it, there are some people who cannot take live viruses. And there are those people who fail to get immunity even after they have been vaccinated. The measles vaccine is said to be 85-95% efficacious after one dose, and 90-98% after two doses.
Past measles outbreaks in the US and Canada have resulted in up to 50% of those developing measles have received two doses of MMR. The reality is with or without ending vaccine exemptions, there will always be outbreaks.
Some articles say this is an epidemic. However, measles is still considered by the World Health Organization to be eliminated. That means there is no regular spread of the disease. It occurs in short-term outbreaks. Yes, the US is currently experiencing one.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) is examining the U.S. vaccine schedules. I expect more information to come out concerning how many vaccines does your child need and at what age.
Dr. Meryl Nass of the Children’s Health Defense states there have been many reports of autism occurring after the MMR shot. She goes on to state that the older a child is when they receive this vaccine, the better. The child will be less likely to have severe neurologic complications.
Yes, most children recover from the measles. But the disease can lead to dangerous complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.
As for complications with the vaccine itself, there have been approximately 89,000 adverse reactions in the last 30 years. That includes about 450 deaths. These statistics are from the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System for measles vaccines.
Read Dr. Meryl Nass’ clarification of the AP article on the Texas outbreak and RFK Jr. here.
Every parent must make the best decision for their children. Parents must determine the risk from the shot versus the risk from the disease. Statistics show most of us won’t be exposed to measles and about 99.9% of healthy children will be fine if they contract measles.
Dr. Katherine Wells, the director of the local health department in Lubbock Texas, stated the first case was in an unvaccinated child sitting in the emergency room next to a child who had measles.
This showed how quickly the disease can spread. The nurse in me wants to ask, what was a child with a probable measles rash doing next to another child in the emergency room? That would be Infection Control 101.
Right now, we have only had two cases of measles in Alaska. In the last 25 years, the entire US has had four deaths. Armed with the facts, parents can make the best decisions for their family.
If you want to get your child vaccinated, several doctors with whom I spoke recommended you wait until the child is 2.5 to 3 years old. The brain will be more developed and less likely to be affected.
Get informed. I am not a medical doctor. Discuss the MMR vaccine with your healthcare providers.
The child is yours and the decision is yours.
Linda Boyle, RN, MSN, DM, was formerly the chief nurse for the 3rd Medical Group, JBER, and was the interim director of the Alaska VA. Most recently, she served as Director for Central Alabama VA Healthcare System. She is the director of the Alaska Covid Alliance/Alaskans 4 Personal Freedom.
“Vitamin A has reduced mortality during measles outbreaks.” I don’t think the author has any valid data supporting this dangerous statement. Could she clarify with some reputable research?