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Experts in pediatric infectious diseases are urging renewed attention to measles vaccination amid a resurgence of this highly contagious virus in the United States. A recent article published in Pediatrics serves as an important update for pediatricians regarding this vaccine-preventable illness, which had been previously classified as non-endemic in the U.S.
Dr. Caitlin Naureckas Li, an infectious diseases specialist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, stated, “Vaccination remains the most effective method for preventing measles. Parents who suspect their child may have been exposed should consult their child’s physician rather than attempting home remedies.” This guidance underscores the critical role of professional medical advice, especially in the face of such a contagious illness.
Measles can lead to severe complications necessitating hospitalization. According to Dr. Li and her colleagues, in 2024, approximately 40 percent of confirmed measles cases in the U.S. resulted in hospitalizations. Notably, this statistic included 52 percent of children under five and 25 percent of individuals aged 5 to 19.
The mortality rate associated with measles in the U.S. is estimated to be between one and three deaths for every 1,000 infections, with the risk of fatality particularly heightened in children younger than five years old.
Among the various complications associated with measles, pneumonia is notably prevalent, occurring in over half of all cases. The infection can also adversely affect the brain; encephalitis—an affliction that may be fatal or result in lasting neurological damage—occurs in approximately one in every 1,000 cases. Another serious condition, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), typically emerges years after the initial measles infection, impacting about one in 100,000 cases, mostly in children under the age of one.
Dr. Li reassured parents about the safety of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, stating, “This vaccination is crucial for safeguarding children against potentially serious complications of measles.” Her comments reinforce the significance of immunization as a protective measure for public health.
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