Too young for measles vaccine, babies are 'sitting ducks' in outbreaks

Key Points:

• South Carolina is experiencing the nation’s worst measles outbreak in over 35 years, with about 1,000 cases reported, including 253 among children aged 4 and younger, highlighting the vulnerability of infants too young to be vaccinated.
• Declining vaccination rates, particularly in Spartanburg County where less than 90% of students are vaccinated, have eroded herd immunity, putting infants and other vulnerable populations at increased risk.
• Some state legislators, citing parental rights, have introduced bills to limit vaccine requirements for young children, including a proposal to prohibit vaccine mandates for children under 2, raising concerns among health professionals about increasing vaccine skepticism.
• The outbreak has caused disruptions in childcare settings, with some parents withdrawing children due to fears of measles exposure, while licensed daycares struggle with limited guidance and a significant number of vaccine exemptions.
• Nationwide, measles cases remain high with 1,671 cases reported in early 2026, threatening the U.S.’s measles elimination status, as vaccination rates decline and pockets of low immunization persist in certain communities.