By Dr. Lyndon Haviland

March 8, 2025

TheHill.com

One hundred fifty-nine cases of measles had been reported in Texas as of Friday, and thousands more children are believed to be potentially exposed. More than 20 patients have been hospitalized.

The state has now begun surveying pediatric bed and ICU availability. Once admitted, children often require IV fluids and sometimes ventilator support to breathe. Tragically, an unvaccinated child and an adult from New Mexico have died. …

Measles is one of the most contagious communicable diseases on record. It’s also extremely easy to control in a safe way, thanks to the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, credited with protecting tens of millions of people from the virus around the world over the past 50 years. 

So … how did we get here? The answer: distrust.