Measles Arrives in Utah Amid Plummeting Immunization Rates

Strategic Insights -

Measles, a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening illness, has made its return to Utah after a seven-year absence, sparking concerns among public health officials. The resurgence is attributed to declining vaccination rates, particularly in certain regions of the state, where anti-vax sentiments have taken hold. As of Wednesday, three confirmed cases had been reported in two counties, with all three patients being unvaccinated.

Key Takeaways:

  • Measles cases have been confirmed in two counties in Utah, marking the state's first infections since 2017.
  • All three patients are unvaccinated and did not contract measles from each other.
  • The first patient had not left the state recently, indicating they were infected by at least one other carrier in Utah.
  • Health officials have not stated whether the two newest patients had traveled recently.
  • Utah had the nation's third-highest rate of immunization waivers for incoming kindergartners in 2023.
  • Statewide, just 87% of kindergartners were up to date on all their shots last year, per the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Herd immunity requires at least 95% of a community be fully vaccinated to protect unvaccinated individuals.
  • Anti-vax sentiments have taken hold in southwest Utah, where 81.5% of kindergartners were fully immunized.
  • Gov. Spencer Cox appointed a longtime anti-vaccine activist to the state Legislature this year to represent part of Utah County.
  • The Southwest Utah Health Department has not acknowledged its new measles case on its website or social media accounts.
  • Health officials are still investigating where exposures may have occurred for the two most recent cases.

Statistics:

  • Over 90% of all Utahns have been vaccinated, per state health officials.
  • Utah had the nation's third-higher rate of immunization waivers for incoming kindergartners in 2023 (Source: CDC).
  • 87% of kindergartners were up to date on all their shots last year, statewide (Source: Utah Department of Health and Human Services).
  • Herd immunity requires at least 95% of a community be fully vaccinated to protect unvaccinated individuals.
  • 81.5% of kindergartners were fully immunized in southwest Utah (Source: Utah Department of Health and Human Services).

Sources:

  • https://data.cdc.gov/Vaccinations/Vaccination-Coverage-and-Exemptions-among-Kinderga/ijqb-a7ye/about_data
  • Axios - "Measles has arrived in Utah amid plummeting immunization rates, as parents increasingly seek waivers for 'religious' and 'personal' reasons"
  • Axios - "Utah vaccine waivers for kindergarten rise, but parents say exemptions are a 'right'"
  • Axios - "Longtime anti-vaccine activist appointed to Utah state Legislature"
  • CDC - "Measles Data and Research"
  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services - "Immunization Dashboard"
  • KSL - "Utah Republicans push to let patients supply their own blood as vaccine concerns linger"
  • Southwest Utah Health Department - "Press Release" and social media accounts
  • Epi.Utah.gov - "Measles Response"