Texas measles cases rise as vaccine funding is cut

Health authorities attribute the recent measles outbreak affecting at least 20 counties in West Texas to inadequate financial resources for the implementation of vaccination programs. Of the more than 700 measles cases documented in the United States in 2025, over 540 have occurred in Texas, although incidents have been reported in 23 additional states. A total of 4 pediatric fatalities have been attributed to measles in the U.S. since the start of 2025, resulting from a decline in vaccination rates among school-age children observed over the preceding 2 years. Reductions in federal funding contributed to the conditions that facilitated the measles outbreak and its subsequent propagation. Furthermore, legislators in Texas and nearly two-thirds of U.S. states have recently proposed legislation that would simplify the process of opting out of vaccinations, thereby weakening efforts to manage communicable diseases. In 2023, only 92.7% of preschool children received the required vaccine dosages. Authorities have issued warnings that areas with low rates of childhood vaccination may instigate a new epidemic. Public health officers have indicated that increased financial resources are required to address incorrect information and public skepticism regarding vaccines. Information obtained from a 2023 survey conducted by the National Association of County and City Health Officials revealed that 80% of local health departments observed reluctance towards vaccination among patients or their guardians within the past year, an increase from 56% in 2017.