Latest news with #UtahDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
Axios
26-06-2025
- Health
- Axios
Measles is spreading among unvaccinated Utahns
Measles has arrived in Utah amid plummeting immunization rates, as parents increasingly seek waivers for "religious" and "personal" reasons. Why it matters: Measles is extremely contagious and dangerous. More than 1 in 10 confirmed U.S. patients have been hospitalized this year, the CDC reports — a figure that rises to 1 in 5 for children age 4 and younger. Driving the news: As of Wednesday, state health officials had confirmed three measles cases in two counties, marking the state's first infections since 2017. Two are in Utah County and one is in the Southwest Utah Health District, which covers Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver and Garfield counties. All three patients are unvaccinated and did not contract measles from each other. Between the lines: The first Utah patient, reported last week in Utah County, had not left the state recently, meaning they were infected by at least one other carrier here. Health officials have not said whether the two newest patients had traveled recently. The big picture: The CDC reports Utah had the nation's third highest rate of immunization waivers for incoming kindergartners in 2023, the most recent year for which data is available. By the numbers: To protect unvaccinated people — infants, for example — herd immunity requires at least 95% of a community be fully vaccinated. Statewide, just 87% of kindergartners were up to date on all their shots last year, per the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Over 90% of all Utahns have been vaccinated, per state health officials. Zoom in: Anti-vax sentiments have taken particular hold in southwest Utah, where 81.5% of kindergartners were fully immunized. Meanwhile, Gov. Spencer Cox appointed a longtime anti-vaccine activist to the state Legislature this year to represent part of Utah County.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Myths VS Facts: What health officials want you to know about the MMR vaccine
SALT LAKE CITY () — With measles cases increasing in the U.S., including two recent brushes with the disease in Utah, health officials want to remind the public that the safest protection against it is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Earlier this week, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services announced they are monitoring a potential measles exposure in southwestern Utah after an unvaccinated individual from out of state visited the area while infectious with the disease. Health officials monitoring potential measles exposure in southwestern Utah Additionally, health officials said a through the Salt Lake City International Airport in May. This incident was determined to be low risk, as the passenger was vaccinated. Although there are no recorded cases in Utah yet, with some in neighboring states, health officials want residents to know that there could be some soon and to be prepared. 'It is the time to go and check what your vaccine status is, what your kid's vaccine status is, and make sure everybody has the right vaccine, so you don't have to worry about this. There's a great way to prevent it, you can take it, it's a good safe, effective way to not have measles get into your family,' said Dr. Leisha Nolen, the state epidemiologist. Health officials report that measles is one of the most contagious diseases. Measles signs and symptoms generally appear about 10-14 days after exposure, with common symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and white spots in the mouth known as Koplik's spots. In addition, a rash with small red spots may appear after 3-5 days. The CDC reports that measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, which is described as an absence of the continuous spread of disease for more than 12 months. But, there have been more cases in recent years. Currently the CDC says there are 1,168 confirmed measles cases in the United States. There have been three confirmed deaths from measles in the U.S. in 2025. Passenger with measles travels through SLC airport, determined low risk for spread met with Dr. Andrew Pavia, professor of pediatric infectious diseases and chief of hospital epidemiology at Primary Children's Hospital, to learn more about the vaccine and its effectiveness, as well as break down some myths. 'We've seen an unprecedented amount of measles in the country this year, so we've just been waiting for it to arrive in Utah, ' he said. '…We've been preparing for it. Now, with this exposure in Saint George, it's likely that there will be more cases. Many people have never seen measles, even their parents may not have seen it. It's a pretty bad disease — and when we say childhood illness, we think of something like chickenpox, where kids are uncomfortable for two or three days, and that's it. Measles is miserable in its average form, but can be dangerous, or even deadly. That's why we really care about it, and that's why we really, really want everyone to help protect their children.' The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and that it protects you from measles, mumps, rubella, and other serious diseases. According to the CDC, almost everyone who has not had the MMR vaccine will get sick if they are exposed to those viruses. The says that numerous studies have been conducted over the year, confirming its safety and efficacy. Minimal risks, such as swelling in cheeks or neck and allergic reactions can occur, the AAP said, but the protecton it provides far outweighs the risks and more serious outcomes that can come from measles itself. Dr. Pavia said that the vaccine has low rates of potential side effects and protects you against measles for life. 'This vaccine has been extremely carefully studied. It has been studied in placebo-controlled trials, and every time it's been tweaked or improved slightly, the new version has been compared to the old one,' Dr. Pavia said. 'It's very, very safe by the standards of any medicine you want to look at. That's not to say there aren't some side effects. Kids, not uncommonly, can get a fever after the MMR vaccine. They can also get a rash 1 to 2 weeks out, or some joint aches. It's a little bit more common in adults who get it, but serious complications of this vaccine are extraordinarily rare and rarer than with most other vaccines.' One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, while two doses are 97% effective, according to the CDC. The CDC says that although some vaccinated people may still get measles, mumps, or rubella if exposed to the viruses, their symptoms will generally be milder, and they will be less likely to spread the disease. The CDC said that the MMR vaccine has been thoroughly studied in the United States and other countries and no link between autism and the MMR vaccine has been found. Although the vaccine, like medicine, can have side effects, these are typically mild and go away on their own. 'There are no long-term consequences of the MMR vaccine and it's been incredibly well-studied because of the concerns people have raised,' Dr Pavia. said. 'There are over 20 studies looking at whether or not there's any connection to autism. That's a common thing that's brought up, and these studies done in many different countries have showed absolutely no link. With a serious disease and a very good vaccine, if you're going to pick one vaccine to get this summer, it should be the one.' Some may believe getting measles and developing natural immunity is safer than getting the vaccine, however, say otherwise, as natural infection comes with more risks. Dr. Pavia explained getting the disease from natural infection is more dangerous with serious cases leading to the hospital, death, or brain damage. 'If none of those things happen, you're going to be miserable, or your child's going to be miserable for four to eight days,' Dr. Pavia said. '… If I had a good vaccine to offer for rattlesnake bites, would you say it's better to get bitten by a rattlesnake and develop some immunity to the venom or to get a vaccine?' Both recent brushes with measles in Utah were related to travel, which we will be seeing more of this summer. Dr. Pavia said now is a good time to think about getting your kids vaccinated and protected. 'Utahns are going to be traveling with their kids this summer, going to places where there's even more measles. Of course, Utah's an important destination for people during the summer, so we can expect more importations, more people showing up in Utah with measles. It's really important that we and our kids have the best protection possible,' he said. Dr. Pavia also emphasized the importance of seeking out reputable resources to learn more and educate yourself on MMR vaccine information, such as speaking to your own family practitioner. 'I think it's really important for people to educate themselves. We say that a lot, but then you go to social media or talk to friends, and there's just so much misinformation out there. Educate yourself, but look for reliable sources. Go to the Utah State Department of Health. Look at the University of Utah or Intermountain websites. Go to Medscape. There are lots of good sources of information where you can learn more, but just be careful in what you consume,' he said. '…I hope you and your kids have a great summer, but please be safe and be healthy out there.' Musk floats 'The American Party' after Trump tiff Myths VS Facts: What health officials want you to know about the MMR vaccine Good4Utah Road Tour: Willard Bay State Park Lori Vallow Daybell back in court, charged with conspiracy to murder ex nephew-in-law Man charged with assault for allegedly attacking and strangling neighbor Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health officials warn of potential measles exposure in southwestern Utah
For years, Utah's early childhood vaccination rates have been declining. (Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / Tatiana Lanzieri, MD, MPH) After an unvaccinated out-of-state visitor traveled to southwestern Utah while infected with measles, state health officials are watching for any potential of the highly contagious virus spreading in Utah. The patient came to the state to visit family on May 26 and 27, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release issued Wednesday. During the visit, the individual visited other unvaccinated people, was out in the community and may have infected others. 'While the risk to the general population continues to be low, we want to make the public aware of the increased risk of measles in this region and the increasing number of cases in surrounding states,' the department said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The potential exposure comes amid measles outbreaks in states across the U.S. This year the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 1,088 measles cases nationwide in 33 states. About 96% of them were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. There were 11 cases in Colorado and 81 in New Mexico, according to an NBC News tracker. As of Wednesday, there aren't any confirmed cases in Utah. Measles outbreak hasn't hit Utah yet, but health officials are bracing for when it does About 88.8% of Utah kindergarteners were reported to be vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella in the 2023-2024 school year, lagging behind the national average of 92.7%. While there was a small bump in the state's immunization registry for a couple of weeks, there's still been a drop in the percentage of Utah children that received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine at 24 months old — from 94.5% of those born in 2019 to 89.8% of children born in 2021, according to state data. That's on pace with regional MMR vaccination rate trends, including in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming, Rich Lakin, immunization program manager at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, told Utah News Dispatch last week. The percentage in those states have decreased from 98.3% for children born in 2019 to 86.4% for those born in 2021. The country has seen a pattern of declining immunization rates as skepticism around science and public health was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the death of two children in Texas, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who has expressed skepticism regarding vaccine safety and efficacy — endorsed the MMR vaccine, saying it is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease. However, he has also promoted unproven remedies for preventing and treating measles, sowing confusion. Experts and research widely accept that the vaccine is safe and saves lives. While it has been difficult to encourage people to vaccinate their children, Lankin said health officials will continue to try to ensure Utahns get accurate information. 'That's what our continued message is — that vaccinations have been one of the greatest public health achievements we have seen, and we want to continue to keep people safe through vaccinations,' Lakin said last week. The state still has limited details on who was exposed, but it is working on providing information and protection to those it can identify, according to the Wednesday release. In the meantime, the department advised anyone with measles-like symptoms to remain at home and away from others for at least four days after the start of the rash to avoid further spread. Those with symptoms — which include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, in addition to the characteristic rash — should contact medical facilities before visiting to confirm whether they can protect other patients from infections. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Measles outbreak hasn't hit Utah yet, but health officials are bracing for when it does
For years, Utah's early childhood vaccination rates have been declining. (Getty Images) Amid national outbreaks, a confirmed measles case hasn't yet hit Utah — but as nearby states report cases, the highly contagious virus could be closing in. Meanwhile, Utah's childhood vaccination rates have been on a steady decline for years. Local and state public health officials say it's likely a matter of time before the Beehive State gets its first measles case, and they're bracing for if or when it happens. 'We're always looking at cases in other states,' Rich Lakin, immunization program manager at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, told Utah News Dispatch this week. 'We've been ready for a long time, but so far so good. We haven't had any cases here in Utah.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX But to be prepared, Lakin said state public health officials are working with local health departments, clinics, and physicians to ensure they know how to quickly identify a measles case and properly handle it when someone comes in for treatment. Nic Rupp, spokesperson for the Salt Lake County Health Department, said county health officials 'monitor the status nationwide every day.' 'We will likely see a case locally as infections get closer geographically and as people travel more this summer,' Rupp said. In the meantime, he said the Salt Lake County Health Department is encouraging populations with low rates for the MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps and rubella) to get up to date on their shots as part of efforts to minimize the spread of the virus 'when a case does show up here.' The last reported measles infection in Utah was reported in March 2023, according to state health officials. 'A person who was not vaccinated traveled outside the U.S. and brought measles back to Utah,' the state's website says. 'We do not believe anyone else in Utah got measles from this person.' Before that 2023 case, three people in Utah had measles in February 2017. So far this year Utah's neighboring state of Colorado has confirmed five cases, according to NBC News' outbreak tracker. New Mexico has seen 79 cases, 14 of which have been reported in the last four weeks. In Texas, 753 cases have been confirmed, with 60 reported in the last four weeks. NM measles cases rise to 78, with possible exposures at Santa Fe and Albuquerque Walmarts As of Thursday, a total of 1,088 confirmed measles cases have been reported in 2025 from 33 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those include Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Fourteen outbreaks have been reported so far in 2025, and 90% of those confirmed cases (977 of 1,088) have been outbreak associated, according to the CDC. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024, and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak associated. For several years now, Utah health officials have tracked a decline in the state's early childhood MMR vaccinations. According to the state's immunization dashboard, the percentage of Utah children that received at least one dose of the MRR vaccine at 24 months old has dropped from 94.5% of those born in 2019 to 89.8% of those born in 2021. 'It has dropped,' Lakin said. He pointed out that the region, which also includes the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming, has gone from a 98.3% for the birth year of 2019 'all the way down to 86.4%.' 'So the region as a whole is not doing very well,' he said. That concerns public health officials because travelers tend to visit nearby states, 'anytime you get cases in other states, then it increases our chances of getting a measles case here in Utah.' The ideal vaccination rate to reach herd immunity protection against measles is 95%, he said. Young children are also most at risk if they contract the virus. 'The thing that would concern us the most would be for an adult to get measles, and then you pass it to a 6-month-old that hasn't been vaccinated yet,' he said. The state's dashboard is currently using the latest available data from 2023, Lakin said, but state officials are working to update it soon with 2024 data. Health officials expect that Utah's immunization rate has continued to decline. 'The expectation is, yes, it is continuing to decline,' he said, though he added, 'by how much, I do not know yet.' Poll: Belief in false measles claims correlated with lower vaccination rates State 2023 data shows public school districts tend to have higher immunization rates than charter schools. In Salt Lake County, Canyons, Granite, Jordan, Murray and Salt Lake City school districts, all had more than 95% immunization rates for the second dose of MMR vaccine in K-12 schools, compared to 91.8% in charter schools. However, according to that data, only 92.3% of kindergartners in Salt Lake County are up to date on measles vaccination — below the ideal 95% herd immunity threshold. Last year, Axios reported Utah has one of the nation's highest rates of childhood vaccine waivers. Religious exemptions accounted for the fastest-rising share of exemptions since before the pandemic, accounting for 13% of Utah's waivers last year, up from 5.9% in 2019, according to a state report released last year. The vast majority, however, are attributed to 'personal belief,' accounting for 84.9% of the waivers in the 2023 to 2024 school year. Given the troubling pattern of declining vaccination rates across Utah and other states amid deepening distrust of institutions in the U.S., Lakin acknowledged its 'difficult' to encourage people to vaccinate their children, but he said health officials will continue to try to ensure Utahns get accurate information. 'Look at the history,' he said, adding that back in the 1800s, 'if your child lived to be an adult, you were very happy. Because they either got smallpox or they got measles or they got mumps, or they got rubella, tetanus, or diphtheria. … I mean, think of all these vaccine preventable diseases that we just don't see anymore, and it's because of vaccinations.' Nonpartisan poll finds 'remarkably low' trust in federal health agencies Lakin said 'unfortunately people are losing sight of what these vaccinations are doing and getting the wrong information in such a fast-paced world that we live in now.' 'They're not getting the right information anymore,' he said. 'That's what our continued message is — that vaccinations have been one of the greatest public health achievements we have seen, and we want to continue to keep people safe through vaccinations.' In a news release issued back in February — after Texas announced the first death of a school-aged child from measles — the Salt Lake County Health Department urged people to ensure they're protected. 'For decades, the MMR vaccine has been proven safe and effective,' said Dorothy Adams, executive director of the Salt Lake County Health Department. 'Ensuring now that you and your loved ones are adequately protected will help prevent serious illness in our community if this current multistate measles outbreak spreads to Utah.' Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known, and it can be so easily spread that people who are not immune have a 90% chance of catching it if they go near an infected person. Someone with measles can spread it to others even before they know they are ill, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. Salt Lake County health officials said the best protection against measles is to be immunized with two doses of the MMR vaccine, which can prevent more than 97% of measles infections. In the remaining 3% of cases — when a fully vaccinated person catches measles — the symptoms are milder, the illness is shorter, and the infected person is less likely to spread it. Unvaccinated people, including children who are too young to be vaccinated, are more likely to experience severe complications from a measles infection. Measles vaccine recommendations vary based on age and vaccination history. Here's what public health experts recommend: Children should receive two doses of measles vaccine: one dose at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years. Adults born before 1957 generally do not need to be vaccinated because they are likely already immune to measles due to widespread infection and illness before the measles vaccine became available in 1963. Adults who were vaccinated before 1968 should have a second dose because the vaccine used from 1963 to 1967 was less effective than the current vaccine, which became available in 1968. Adults who were vaccinated in 1968 or later are considered fully protected whether they have one or two doses, though certain higher risk groups (college students, health care workers, international travelers) should have two doses. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Change in Utah's newborn safe haven law can help more babies
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways A change made to the Utah newborn safe haven law went into effect Wednesday, allowing more parents a way to safely give up custody of their baby, no questions asked. The original law, passed in 2001 by former Sen. Patrice Arent, limited the age of newborns that can be surrendered under the law to 30 days or younger. This year, the state Legislature passed SB57, that changes the age of newborns that can be surrendered under the law to 90 days (three months) and younger. 'The law exists to protect infants, help birth parents, and to find loving homes for the newborns. By expanding the age to 90 days old or younger, more babies in Utah will have the chance to live safe and happy lives,' said Arent who now serves as the chair of the Newborn Safe Haven advisory board. Under the law, parents or a parent's designee can give up custody of their newborn at any hospital in the state. 'The baby will receive the care they need in a forever home. No names, blame, or shame — only love and support," according to a release from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Since the safe haven law passed in 2001, an average of at least two babies have been surrendered every year in the Beehive State. 'The intent of that bill was to help protect newborns from injury or death by providing a safe place (hospitals) for them and allow the identity of the person who gives up the baby to remain anonymous,' the release said. The expansion of the age to 3 months and younger will allow more babies to safely be surrendered and will help increase awareness of the law and that option for parents. After the newborn is surrendered to a hospital, they are examined by medical professionals and then placed for adoption through the Division of Child and Family Services. For more information about the safe haven law, visit
