1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern over the recent measles outbreak in West Texas, which has escalated to 48 confirmed cases, primarily among unvaccinated children. Thirteen patients have required hospitalization. This situation underscores the critical importance of vaccination and the dangers posed by misinformation about vaccine safety. The outbreak is centered in Gaines County, where vaccination rates are alarmingly low. Experts warn that declining immunization rates increase the risk of such outbreaks. Misinformation about vaccines has contributed to vaccine hesitancy, leading to decreased immunization rates and increased vulnerability to preventable diseases. It is imperative that our federal health agencies, including the CDC and NIH, actively combat this misinformation and promote evidence-based vaccination practices. I urge you to hold these agencies accountable for implementing robust public health campaigns that emphasize the safety and necessity of vaccines.