There is good reason why even one case of measles triggers a heightened response. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humans. Prior to the development of the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine, measles hospitalized tens of thousands of U.S. children each year, killed several hundred and wiped the immune memory of many others.

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in the year 2000, but the number of outbreaks has increased in recent years. Thus far in 2025, the U.S. has confirmed 1,214 measles cases across 36 states — already more than quadruple the number of cases reported in all of 2024. Sadly, this has resulted in three deaths and 146 hospitalizations, predominantly among children.

Leading scientists warn that measles may again become endemic in the United States if vaccination rates remain the same as they are today. In other words, if nothing changes, we could be looking at a future where parents are unable to take their babies to church, daycare, the doctor, or a local museum without potentially exposing them to measles.

Let’s be clear: these outbreaks are preventable. Disease transmission happens when vaccine coverage drops, and Utah is no exception to this reality.

Courtesy photo

Ten years ago, over 90% of Utah kindergarteners were adequately immunized. Today, that overall number has dropped to 85.7%, with more granular data showing some concerning trends:

• Vaccine exemptions in Utah have risen dramatically over the last few years.
• Online students, although they don’t congregate in public school buildings, now have a vaccine exemption rate of over 50%.
• Charter schools have roughly double the exemption rate compared to district or private schools.
• Currently, 11.2% of Utah students are missing their MMR documentation, and exemption rates jump significantly higher in certain pockets and rural areas around the state.
• There are a number of Utah schools with barely over 50% of students who are adequately immunized. (You can look up your own school’s vaccine coverage on the state immunization dashboard).

These trends create an environment that is ripe for the spread of measles.

Fortunately, kids and adults who have received their MMR vaccine have already put on their proverbial armor. Two doses offer 97% protection against infection, which is truly remarkable.

However, despite such robust vaccine effectiveness, Utah is seeing a drop in vaccination rates. There are many reasons for vaccine hesitancy, and those questions and concerns should be met with compassion and curiosity, not shame or blame.

Many parents are navigating a confusing information landscape, where it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll shows that an increasing number of people are encountering false claims about measles and the MMR vaccine, and more than half of Americans feel uncertain about what to believe.

As persuasive online rumors fuel an atmosphere of distrust, it’s more important than ever to know where to get accurate, reliable medical information. Your pediatrician and other qualified healthcare professionals can answer questions about vaccines, clarify any concerns, and provide guidance based on extensive evidence and years of medical training.

It’s crucial to recognize that those who distort the facts often dress up disinformation in the language of “choice” and “freedom.” But this intentionally warps the conversation. Lies and half-truths that convince good people to reject established knowledge aren’t liberating; they’re fundamentally disempowering. In reality, accurate and trustworthy information creates the foundation of true personal agency.

The current measles outbreak has highlighted how individual choices about vaccines affect the wider community. Every choice to vaccinate — or not — shapes the health of those around us. Vaccines not only protect individuals but also create a shield for vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Maintaining high vaccination rates ensures protection for everyone.

This moment is a wake-up call. We have the tools to stop this outbreak and to prevent future ones. We must seek accurate information, have open conversations with medical professionals, and remember that our choices ripple outward, touching lives far beyond our own. Through vaccination, we have the power to protect our communities and build a future free from the ravages of preventable disease.

Tricia Bunderson is an ER nurse who lives in Lehi.