** measles: a return in force and its implications for the American public health **
Texas has just experienced a tragedy that raises worrying questions about public health and individual health choices. The recent death of an eight-year-old girl, due to measles, evokes not only the severity of a disease once considered eradicated, but also a crucial turning point in the debate around vaccination in the United States. The Minister of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has obviously started a change of tone in a case that has resonances far beyond the borders of the state.
** An alarming resurgence **
This death is part of a disturbing resurgence of cases of measles, with more than 600 cases reported across the country this year, including nearly 500 in Texas. Indeed, the United States had declared that it had eliminated measles in 2000 thanks to high vaccination rates, but since then, concerns linked to antivaccin movements have created a ground conducive to the resurgence of contagious diseases. Measles, an extremely contagious viral disease, can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, and in extreme cases, death.
Studies show that vaccination with the ROR trivalent (measles, mumps, rubella) is remarkable (around 97 % for a dose), but vaccination coverage has dropped in recent years, notably following the Pandemic of Cavid-19 which has disrupted many routine vaccination programs. The decrease in vaccination rates, combined with the spread of disinformation on vaccines, poses a real challenge to public health.
** The Texan Paradox: a strong population of non-vacuums **
At the heart of this situation, Texas is home to many communities that could be described as “refractory” to vaccination, especially within Mennonites religious groups. These communities, which often favor distinct lifestyles, have reported a large number of measles cases. Beyond individual beliefs, this phenomenon raises questions about collective responsibility and group immunity. Collective immunity requires 95 % of the population to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of diseases such as measles. When this threshold is not reached, the danger of epidemics becomes very real.
** The political reaction to the paradigm change **
While some political leaders, such as Donald Trump, seem to minimize the disconcerting gravity of the situation, Kennedy Jr. while having a skepticism about vaccines, now seems to recognize the importance of vaccination. This reversal could be perceived as a response to increasing indignation in the face of the management of the epidemic as well as to the tragic consequences of the lack of vaccination.
However, this evolution of Kennedy’s words should not hide the increased work to be undertaken to combat disinformation on vaccines. A study by the Pew Research Center revealed that 70 % of Americans fear that disinformation on the vaccine can cause epidemics of infectious diseases. In addition, 79 % of those questioned say that information on vaccines should be supervised by qualified health professionals. The battle against disinformation is just as essential as the establishment of effective vaccination campaigns.
** Investigation of the causes and effect of infantile mortality*
In parallel, it is crucial to highlight the importance of an in-depth investigation into the causes of infant mortality linked to measles, as well as to assess socio-economic determinants which can influence vaccination rates. A study by the University of Harvard highlighted that children from low -income families and at low level of education often have lower vaccination rates. These data may encourage to rethink awareness and education strategies on vaccination which, so far, have failed to reach these vulnerable populations.
** Conclusion: a necessary reflection for the future of public health **
While Texas and other states are facing this reclosiveness of measles, an essential debate is looming on the horizon: what future for vaccination in the United States? Lubbock’s tragedy must serve as a reflection point for decision -makers, health professionals and society as a whole. It is not just a question of individual choice, but a collective public health issue which requires concerted mobilization, associating education, empathy and vigilance in the face of disinformation. The human tragedies caused by avoidable diseases must push us to act, to renew our commitment to the health of all, and to ensure that the return of a much decried illness is a lesson to never forget.