Our Hospitals Are Unprepared for the Return of Kids With Measles
The New York Times • • health
Key Points:
- Dr. Kirk Milhoan, nominated to lead the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, suggested re-evaluating the necessity of vaccines for diseases like measles and polio due to advancements in medical care and sanitation.
- Despite improved treatment options, pediatric emergency and intensive care units are currently strained, facing workforce shortages and funding challenges, with many doctors lacking firsthand experience treating diseases like measles or polio.
- The decline in public confidence in vaccines, combined with hospital capacity issues, risks severe consequences for children; measles cases in 2026 have surged across at least 30 states, predominantly affecting unvaccinated individuals.
- The U.S. has lost about 30% of pediatric inpatient units between 2008 and 2022,
