May 2025: Measles — How did we get here, and how bad is this?

Dr. Paul Offit talks about the growing measles outbreak in the United States, explaining that the number of cases is higher than CDC reports, and how we know that. He says that underfunding and misinformation have hindered the response to the current epidemic and that vaccination is remarkably safe.

Measles resources

For more information related to measles, see these resources:

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): The Diseases and Vaccines (webpage)
• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (infographic): PDF (English | Spanish) | PNG
• Measles: What You Should Know (Q&A): English | Spanish
• Rash Information, includes measles image and information (webpage)
• Parents PACK Personal Stories – Measles (webpage)
• Measles infections, outbreaks & vaccines playlist (videos)
  • Measles: symptoms, spread & SSPE
  • Why Are We Seeing Measles Outbreaks?
  • March 2025 - Measles outbreaks: At the intersection of vaccines and religion
  • 3 lessons from current TX measles outbreak: Higher cases, low vaccination & too much vitamin A
  • Is Vitamin A Effective for Treating or Preventing Measles?
  • Vaccine Expert Reacts: RFK Jr. Falsely Claims Measles Vax Causes Deaths 'Every Year', MedPage Today
  • ATS Breathe Easy - Vaccine Hesitancy and the Fear of a Measles Outbreak, American Thoracic Society
  • This Is How Easy It Is To Spread Measles, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
  • 5 Things You Need to Know About Measles In 30 Seconds, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
  • Do people need a measles vaccine booster during an outbreak?
  • MMR and chickenpox vaccines: Together or separate?
  • Attenuation: How Scientists Make Live Vaccines
  • Wouldn’t it be better for my child to get diseases naturally?