Tue Apr 01 12:40:00 UTC 2025: ## CDC Silences Measles Vaccine Messaging Amidst Rising Outbreaks

**Washington, D.C.** – A concerning trend has emerged as measles outbreaks surge across 19 US states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been criticized for suppressing an internal assessment that highlights the high risk of measles infection in areas with low vaccination rates and recommends a renewed public health messaging campaign promoting vaccination. This decision, reported by ProPublica, comes as vaccination rates continue to decline nationwide.

The suppressed assessment, prepared by CDC experts, called for a renewed push to encourage MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccination, emphasizing both individual and community protection. However, the CDC justified its inaction by stating that vaccination is a “personal choice,” a stance that contradicts established scientific consensus and aligns with the views of vaccine critics. This shift in messaging is particularly alarming given the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The number of measles cases in 2024 already surpasses any full year since 2019. While measles was declared eliminated from the US in 2000, outbreaks are increasingly frequent, fueled by misinformation and declining vaccination rates. A recent University of Pennsylvania survey revealed a significant increase in the number of people who believe that approved vaccines are unsafe—from 9% in 2021 to 16% in 2023.

Public health experts warn that the CDC’s decision to bury this information undermines public trust and hinders timely distribution of vital data to local health services. The CDC’s approach contrasts sharply with the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, where frequent and transparent communication proved crucial.

Individuals born between 1957 and 1975, who may have received only one dose of the MMR vaccine, are urged to consult their healthcare providers to assess their risk and consider a second dose for increased protection. A simple blood test can determine existing immunity.

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