April 2025: 3 lessons from current Texas measles outbreak

In this video, Dr. Paul Offit discusses three lessons emerging from the measles outbreak in Texas. First, the number of cases is actually much higher than the number being reported. Second, low preexisting vaccination rates and continued vaccine refusals are providing fuel for the continued spread of measles. Third, the unproven and unmonitored use of vitamin A is causing children to become ill from receipt of too much of this vitamin.

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?