Opinion | CDC’s Dr. Abraham: Measles Is Not an American Policy Failure

Dr. Abraham from the CDC argues that the recent resurgence of measles in the United States should not be viewed as a failure of American policy. He emphasizes that the increase in measles cases is not solely attributable to vaccine hesitancy or policy shortcomings. Instead, he points out that the global context, including outbreaks in other countries, plays a significant role in the dynamics of measles transmission within the U.S. The opinion piece highlights that measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, particularly in communities with low vaccination rates. Dr. Abraham notes that the U.S. has made significant progress in controlling measles through vaccination programs, which have historically led to high immunization coverage. However, he acknowledges that pockets of unvaccinated individuals can lead to outbreaks, especially when travelers bring the virus back from regions experiencing higher incidence rates. Dr. Abraham stresses the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent outbreaks and protect public health. He argues that rather than focusing on policy failures, the emphasis should be on the need for continued public education about the benefits of vaccination and the risks associated with measles. The piece concludes by reinforcing the idea that measles control requires a collective effort to ensure widespread immunization and awareness.