Americans Express Concerns Over Measles Outbreak Response Amidst Vaccine Confidence

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll has shed light on Americans’ anxieties regarding the ongoing measles outbreak and their perceptions of the government’s handling of the situation. The poll reveals a significant level of concern about the administration’s ability to contain the outbreak, even as a large majority of Americans maintain confidence in the safety of measles vaccines.

The survey, conducted over two days and concluding on May 13, found that a mere 31% of respondents believe the Trump administration is handling the measles outbreak responsibly. This contrasts sharply with the 40% who disagreed with this assessment, highlighting a considerable level of public skepticism regarding the government’s response.

The United States is currently grappling with its most severe measles outbreak in a quarter-century, a stark reminder of the disease’s potential resurgence. The number of confirmed cases has surpassed 1,000, underscoring the urgency of effective public health measures to curb its spread.

Measles, a highly contagious airborne disease, can lead to serious complications, particularly in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective in preventing the disease, with two doses offering 97% protection. Widespread adoption of the MMR vaccine led to the World Health Organization declaring measles eliminated in the United States in 2000.

Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, vaccination rates among U.S. children have been declining in recent years. Experts attribute this trend to vaccine skepticism and the spread of misinformation about vaccines. This decline in vaccination coverage has created pockets of vulnerability, allowing measles to re-emerge and spread within communities.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that the vast majority of Americans continue to view the MMR vaccine as safe. Approximately 86% of respondents stated that the vaccine is safe for children, a slight increase from the 84% who held the same view in a similar poll conducted in May 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the poll also reveals a marginal increase in vaccine hesitancy, with 13% of respondents expressing concerns about the safety of the MMR vaccine for children, up from 10% five years prior.

The poll, which surveyed 1,163 U.S. adults nationwide, has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

Infectious disease experts have expressed concerns about the potential impact of mixed messages regarding the severity of measles and the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine, particularly those emanating from public figures.

Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the Infectious Diseases Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed encouragement at the high level of confidence in the MMR vaccine. He noted that the public appears to be recognizing the inaccuracy of some of the information circulating about vaccines.

The Trump administration has defended its response to the measles outbreak, asserting that it has taken proactive measures to promote vaccination and contain the spread of the disease.

According to a White House spokesman, Secretary Kennedy and HHS have deployed thousands of MMR vaccine shots and have repeatedly promoted measles vaccination in media interviews, social media posts, and public statements. HHS is also investing $500 million in a universal vaccine project under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll also revealed a strong consensus regarding the responsibility of parents to vaccinate their children against measles. Approximately 76% of respondents, including majorities of both Republicans and Democrats, agreed that it is the duty of all parents to vaccinate their children against measles. However, a notable minority of Republicans, approximately one in four, disagreed with this statement, highlighting the presence of partisan divisions on the issue of vaccination.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate a concerning trend of declining measles vaccination rates in the United States.

In the 2019-2020 school year, 95.2% of kindergarteners nationwide completed their two-dose MMR vaccine series, exceeding the 95% threshold needed to protect unvaccinated individuals against the highly contagious disease through herd immunity. However, measles vaccination rates dropped to 92.7% in 2023-2024, according to the CDC.

Within states, pockets of unvaccinated populations exhibit even lower vaccination rates, creating areas of heightened vulnerability to measles outbreaks. In Gaines County, Texas, the epicenter of an outbreak that has infected more than 700 people and resulted in the deaths of two unvaccinated children, only 82% of kindergarteners are fully vaccinated.

The Texas outbreak has spread to neighboring states, including Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, where one adult has died from the disease.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, emphasized that while most Americans are comfortable with the MMR vaccine, as reflected in high vaccination rates, national vaccination numbers can mask pockets of very low vaccination coverage. He stressed the importance of focusing on these vulnerable pockets to prevent further outbreaks.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll also gauged Americans’ level of concern about measles outbreaks relative to other pressing issues. Approximately 55% of respondents expressed concern about measles outbreaks, a level comparable to the number who worried about being laid off from their jobs. However, concern about measles outbreaks was significantly lower than the 80% who worried about rising inflation.

Only 32% of respondents in the poll expressed confidence that the current administration would stop the current outbreak and prevent measles from becoming a common illness again. This finding underscores the public’s lack of trust in the government’s ability to effectively manage the measles outbreak.