As a measles outbreak burns through South Carolina, not enough people are getting vaccinated
CNN••health
Key Points:
- Spartanburg County, South Carolina, is experiencing a significant measles outbreak with over 200 cases reported since last fall, fueled by declining vaccination rates among schoolchildren, which have dropped from 95% to 90% over five years.
- The outbreak likely began within a Ukrainian immigrant community known for low vaccination rates and has since spread widely, including through schools, churches, and public places, making containment increasingly difficult.
- Public health efforts include vaccination clinics, contact tracing, and quarantine for unvaccinated exposed individuals, but progress is slow due to vaccine hesitancy and resource limitations in South Carolina compared to other states like New Mexico.
- Vaccine hesitancy is influenced by misinformation, social media, and historical mistrust,
