Measles Outbreak at Florida Elementary School Raises Concerns Over Vaccination Rates
A recent outbreak of measles at an elementary school in Florida has raised concerns about the declining vaccination rates across the country. Health experts fear that scenarios like this will become more common if vaccination rates continue to slip. The cluster of measles cases was reported at Manatee Bay Elementary School in the city of Weston, which has a low vaccination rate.
The outbreak was first reported on Friday when Broward County Public School confirmed a case of measles in a third-grade student who had not recently traveled. Over the weekend, three additional cases were reported at the same school, bringing the total to four cases. In response, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) has opened an investigation to track contacts at risk of infection.
At Manatee Bay Elementary School, there are over 100 students who may be at risk of contracting measles. According to a vaccine study conducted by Broward County, only 89.31 percent of students at the school were fully immunized in the 2023/2024 school year, significantly lower than the target vaccination coverage of 95 percent. With 1,067 students enrolled, it is estimated that up to 114 students are vulnerable to the infection based on their vaccination status.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory and airborne transmission. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has been in an area. People who are not vaccinated or have compromised immune systems are susceptible to the virus, with up to 90 percent of susceptible individuals becoming infected when exposed. Symptoms typically appear eight to 14 days after exposure and include a high fever, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a cough. The telltale rash develops later. Infected individuals can be contagious for several days before and after the rash appears.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people with measles are hospitalized, while 1 in 20 infected children develop pneumonia. Additionally, up to 3 in 1,000 children die from the infection. However, those who are fully vaccinated with two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine are generally not considered at risk. The vaccine is about 97 percent effective at preventing measles, and protection is considered lifelong.
In response to the outbreak, the DOH-Broward is identifying susceptible contacts who may be candidates for post-exposure prophylaxis through MMR or immunoglobulin. However, the threat of large measles outbreaks is growing as vaccination rates decline. While the US declared measles eliminated in 2000, cases linked to travel from countries where the virus still circulates pose a risk. If a travel-related case lands in an area with low vaccination coverage, the virus can spread rapidly. In 2019, the US experienced 1,274 measles cases and nearly lost its elimination status.
Vaccination coverage of 95 percent or greater is typically considered sufficient to protect against ongoing transmission. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic began, vaccination rates among US kindergarteners have slipped to 93 percent, and vaccination exemptions have reached an all-time high. Data from the 2022-2023 school year shows that at least 10 states have vaccination exemption rates above 5 percent, meaning they do not have enough coverage to reach the 95 percent target.
As of February 15, the CDC has reported 20 measles cases in the US this year. However, this tally does not include the cases reported in Florida since Friday. In 2023, there were 58 measles cases reported to the CDC.
The recent measles outbreak at Manatee Bay Elementary School serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination and the potential consequences of low vaccination rates. Health officials continue to emphasize the need for high vaccination coverage to prevent the spread of measles and other preventable diseases.
