The United States is facing a growing measles outbreak, with fears rising after a second girl in Texas died from the virus. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., previously skeptical of vaccines, has spoken out in support of the MMR vaccination as the best protection against measles. Despite Texas being the epicenter of the outbreak, some counties in Arizona have even lower vaccination rates. While Arizona has not reported any cases this year, neighboring states like California and New Mexico have. Doctors warn that the highly contagious virus can spread rapidly in under-vaccinated communities.
This year, there have been 642 confirmed measles cases across 22 states, with Texas reporting 499 cases alone. Two young girls in Texas have tragically died from measles, both unvaccinated. Experts emphasize the importance of vaccination, with the MMR vaccine being 97% effective against measles after two doses. Kennedy is set to visit Phoenix to discuss the importance of vaccination as part of his Make America Healthy Again tour. With vaccination coverage among kindergarteners decreasing in recent years, health officials urge parents to ensure their children are vaccinated to prevent the spread of measles.
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