As a pediatrician and a parent, I understand the anxiety many parents feel about vaccines. With the rise of misinformation, parents who just want what is best for their children are receiving conflicting messages about how to keep kids healthy. But I want to reassure families: the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is safe, effective and one of our best tools in preventing serious illness. We have decades of research and real-world experience that prove its safety and success in protecting children. That’s why, as a mom of two boys, I felt comfortable choosing to immunize them on the recommended schedule.
Why Is Measles a Big Deal?
Measles isn’t just a mild rash and fever—it’s a highly contagious and potentially severe disease. It spreads through the air, meaning if an infected person walks into a room, the virus can linger for up to two hours. If you're unvaccinated and exposed, there’s a 90% chance you’ll get sick.
Symptoms typically start with high fever, cough, runny nose and pink eyes, followed by a telltale rash. But measles can be much more than an uncomfortable illness—it can lead to dangerous complications:
- 1 in 5 people with measles will be hospitalized.
- 1 in 20 will develop pneumonia, the leading cause of measles-related death in young children.
- 1 in 1,000 will suffer brain swelling (encephalitis), which can cause seizures, deafness, or lifelong disability.
- 3 in 1,000 will die from respiratory or neurological complications.
To put this into perspective, imagine a school of 1,000 unvaccinated children:
- 900 would catch measles in an outbreak.
- 180 would require hospitalization.
- At least one child in each classroom would develop pneumonia.
- Two children could suffer severe, life-threatening complications or die.
A Proven Solution: The MMR Vaccine
The good news? Measles is preventable with the MMR vaccine. Two doses provide 97% protection against measles. Because of high vaccination rates, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. But unfortunately, that’s changing.
Misinformation about vaccine safety has led to declining immunization rates. To prevent measles outbreaks, at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated. However, in just the last few years, MMR coverage among U.S. kindergartners has dropped from 95% in 2019 to 92% in 2023. That might seem like a small difference, but it leaves many communities vulnerable to outbreaks.
Stopping the Spread
We’re already seeing more measles outbreaks in the U.S., including cases right here in Central California, but they don’t have to happen. Measles is preventable, and no child should have to suffer from this disease when we have a safe, effective vaccine available.
As someone who talks with families about immunizations every day, I want parents to know: I trust the MMR vaccine for my patients, my community and my own children. If you have questions, talk to your doctor, ask for reputable sources and know that choosing to vaccinate protects not just your child but everyone around them.
Together, we can stop measles in its tracks—by making sure every child is protected.
About the Author
Dr. Erin Vaughn joined Valley Children’s Specialty Medical Group in July 2023 as a complex care pediatrician at the Charlie Mitchell Children’s Center on Valley Children’s main hospital campus in Madera. She is board certified in pediatrics and internal medicine. Dr. Vaughn is a passionate advocate for her patients and values the role she can play in helping educate and empower patients and their families.