Measles Outbreak in South Carolina Reaches Record High, Sparking Concerns Over Vaccine Confidence.
South Carolina has witnessed a staggering 789 measles cases since the outbreak began last October, surpassing the number of cases from the Texas outbreak in 2025. The state's upstate region, particularly Spartanburg County, has been at the epicenter of this alarming trend. With the United States declared to be free of locally transmitted measles infections over a decade ago, this outbreak is a stark reminder that the country still faces significant challenges.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that there have been no new outbreaks across the country in 2026, but experts caution that the recent surge in cases may indicate a pattern of reduced vaccination rates. Of the 789 cases, nearly 70 percent were reported as unvaccinated or unknown, with children aged 0 to 11 being disproportionately affected.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is crucial in preventing outbreaks like this one. The CDC recommends administering two doses of the MMR vaccine starting at 12 months of age, but concerns over vaccination confidence have been raised by comments from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy's statements have been interpreted as undermining the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
Despite Kennedy's claims that vaccines can cause adverse events, including deaths and illnesses like encephalitis and blindness, health experts emphasize that these risks are extremely rare in healthy individuals. The Infectious Diseases Society of America notes that there have been no reported deaths related to the MMR vaccine in people without compromised immune systems.
William Moss, executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center, has expressed concern over the ongoing outbreak and its potential implications for measles elimination status. "Maintaining adequate levels of measles vaccination is crucial to preventing future outbreaks," he says. "As vaccine confidence continues to be undermined, immunization becomes more important than ever."
South Carolina has witnessed a staggering 789 measles cases since the outbreak began last October, surpassing the number of cases from the Texas outbreak in 2025. The state's upstate region, particularly Spartanburg County, has been at the epicenter of this alarming trend. With the United States declared to be free of locally transmitted measles infections over a decade ago, this outbreak is a stark reminder that the country still faces significant challenges.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that there have been no new outbreaks across the country in 2026, but experts caution that the recent surge in cases may indicate a pattern of reduced vaccination rates. Of the 789 cases, nearly 70 percent were reported as unvaccinated or unknown, with children aged 0 to 11 being disproportionately affected.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is crucial in preventing outbreaks like this one. The CDC recommends administering two doses of the MMR vaccine starting at 12 months of age, but concerns over vaccination confidence have been raised by comments from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy's statements have been interpreted as undermining the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
Despite Kennedy's claims that vaccines can cause adverse events, including deaths and illnesses like encephalitis and blindness, health experts emphasize that these risks are extremely rare in healthy individuals. The Infectious Diseases Society of America notes that there have been no reported deaths related to the MMR vaccine in people without compromised immune systems.
William Moss, executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center, has expressed concern over the ongoing outbreak and its potential implications for measles elimination status. "Maintaining adequate levels of measles vaccination is crucial to preventing future outbreaks," he says. "As vaccine confidence continues to be undermined, immunization becomes more important than ever."
it's like we've taken two steps back since we thought the US was safe from this stuff. I mean, 789 cases is crazy and it's not just the number that's concerning, it's the fact that so many people aren't vaccinated 
. We need to get our vaccine confidence back up ASAP or else we'll be facing even more super spreader situations like this one.
The fact that 70% of those infected weren't even vaccinated or didn't know their vaccination status is a huge red flag. It's like we're taking two steps back, and it's all because some people are questioning the safety of vaccines 
You gotta weigh those risks against the benefits - vaccination is still one of our best defenses against preventable diseases like measles. We should be focusing on getting more people vaccinated, not undermining confidence in vaccines 
. This is exactly why we need to educate ourselves and others about vaccine science and the impact it has on public health 
.
weve been told vaccines r safe and work but now were seeing record high cases of measles & its all about vaccination confidence 
like wut happened to people? didnt they know that getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect ourselves & others from getting sick?? 
what kinda world r we living in where ppl think vaccines r not effective or safe? 
I mean come on 789 cases in South Carolina and most of them are kids? Like what's going through their parents' minds not vaccinating their kids? The science is clear, the vaccine is safe and effective 
. And no, it won't kill you or make you blind... like some people claim 
. I swear if HHS Secretary Kennedy Jr keeps spreading that BS, we'll be right back to where we were in the 90s with all these preventable diseases coming out 
. You try to ignore them at first, but eventually you're like "okay, fine, I'll take the vaccine to get rid of them once and for all" 
... or a sports team that just can't seem to catch a break 
.
. "Vaccines are bad, vaccines are evil"... yeah, okay, buddy 
.
is crazy! I remember when we thought we'd conquered this disease 
. Now, I'm worried that folks are getting skeptical about vaccines 
! Don't wanna be part of a country where measles comes back 
.