27-04-2025
Misinformation is fueling measles outbreaks
A student at Palmetto Senior High was diagnosed with measles last month, the first confirmed case in Miami-Dade County in years. With vaccination rates falling across Florida, this case is a warning sign we can't ignore. Just last year, we had a measles outbreak in Fort Lauderdale.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. It can be far more than a rash, leading to serious, even fatal, complications. Less than 10 measles cases have now been reported in Florida this year — far less than the 624 cases reported in Texas this year. But as contagious as measles is, the outcome caused by just a few cases could be devastating, especially for children.
As a pediatrician in Miami, I've seen the fear of families when they hear about outbreaks. They do everything they can to keep their children safe, yet it may not be enough.
It's heartbreaking to know that in many cases, all a hospital can offer is supportive care. No medication cures measles, only time and the hope that a child's body can fight it. Some children who are diagnosed will live with complications for the rest of their lives.
For young kids with developing immune systems, the virus can be devastating. In recent weeks, two unvaccinated children in Texas — girls ages 6 and 8 — died from measles. If an outbreak spreads here, we could see similar tragedies. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated children who get measles will be hospitalized.
In close quarters, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. Simply sharing a space can be enough to get sick.
Thankfully, we are not powerless. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains one of the most effective tools in medicine, with a decades-long record of safety and success. Since its introduction, measles has been nearly eliminated in the United States.
When vaccination rates are high, we build community immunity. This protects not only those who are vaccinated, but also infants and the immunocompromised who cannot receive vaccines. But misinformation has weakened that protection. The United States is now at risk of losing its measles elimination status, a milestone achieved more than 20 years ago.
The Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign is celebrating its 70th anniversary this month. Polio is a disease that was once on the verge of global eradication but could also return. Thanks to decades of immunization efforts, the number of children affected by polio has dropped by 99%. But just as with measles, vaccine misinformation threatens to undo that progress and put children at risk again.
False claims about vaccines continue to spread across Florida. They circulate online, in social circles and from some public officials. This misinformation is fueling vaccine hesitancy and fear and is driving down immunization rates in Miami-Dade. And it's not just measles that is resurging; we have seen pertussis and mumps outbreaks in the last few years.
Parents want to make the right choice for their children, but that's difficult when they're bombarded with conflicting messages. As a pediatrician, I speak with families every day who have real questions about vaccine safety. Building trust is how we help parents feel confident in their decisions and how we protect our community.
If we don't push back against misinformation and act now, measles will continue to threaten our children. We nearly eliminated this disease once, and we can keep it from returning on a greater scale — but only if families have access to the truth. Stopping the spread of false claims is just as important as stopping the virus itself. The health of our children depends on it.
Dr. Thresia Gambon is the past president of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a practicing pediatrician in Miami.
