On March 6, the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID) hosted a webinar discussion to answer questions about measles, vaccines, and pathways to stop and prevent serious outbreaks. As we are seeing in real time, measles can cause severe complications, hospitalizations, and even death – particularly among unvaccinated children.
The webinar featured the expertise of three leaders in medicine and policy:
• Jewel Mullen, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Population Health and Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin
• Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FIPDS, FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; and current President, Infectious Diseases Society of America
• Michael C. Burgess, MD, Former U.S. Congressman (R-TX-26)
Watch the full recording HERE and read below for a recap of the conversation.
The panelists opened by explaining measles is considered the most infectious disease of all because it spreads through airborne transmission and by touching contaminated surfaces. Signs and symptoms of measles expand far beyond just a rash. "There's no typical case," Dr. Mullen said. Former Rep. Burgess added: "Everything looks like the flu when it first starts," making early diagnosis difficult. However, measles can lead to severe complications – including hearing loss, blindness, brain damage, pneumonia, and death – especially for individuals who are not vaccinated.
Former Rep. Burgess emphasized that because measles can be “silent” in its early stages, it can lead to widespread transmission in communities with lower vaccination rates—even before symptoms arise. This is especially problematic for groups of people most vulnerable to measles, including babies too young to receive the vaccine, children whose parents delay or refuse vaccination, pregnant women, and other immunocompromised people.
As the measles outbreak in West Texas has surpassed 150 patients, the experts emphasized “really, the only way to control and prevent these outbreaks is to vaccinate," as Dr. Tan said. She urged parents to talk to their doctors, particularly before traveling, as children should receive their first measles vaccine dose after 12 months of age. If exposed, unvaccinated individuals can receive the vaccine within 72 hours to reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Research overwhelmingly shows the MMR vaccine is safe and effective. The MMR vaccine, which stands for measles, mumps, and rubella, provides immunity against all three diseases because it contains weakened forms of each virus, allowing the immune system to recognize and defend against them simultaneously. "The MMR vaccine cannot cause the disease," Dr. Tan said. She also added: "There is absolutely no association at all between the MMR vaccine and autism”
Born before the MMR vaccine became available, Dr. Mullen recalled her own childhood experience with measles. She said a high fever left her unconscious. Her father rushed her to the hospital, where she remained for a month.
“I would always remember, my parents were in tears and said, ‘You know, you almost died,’” Dr. Mullen said. "We've heard about around 160 cases recently [in West Texas], but we don’t really know how those children are doing. It’s important to keep this in mind when people ask what can happen."
Dr. Mullen shared her story not to cause fear, but to illustrate the seriousness of measles. While there is not currently a cure for measles, the best defense remains vaccination. "It is extremely rare for someone who has received two doses of the MMR vaccine to get measles," Dr. Tan said.
All experts recommended people consult their physicians and pediatricians with questions or concerns about vaccines or look to hospitals and reputable public health websites for fact-based information, resources, and research.
“Your doctor is always the best source of information,” former Rep. Burgess said.
To learn more about measles, check out our fact sheet and visit fightinfectiousdisease.org.
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