As of March 13, 2025, a total of 301 confirmed measles cases were reported by 15 states nationwide, including NewYork. Measles is a viral infection that’s serious for small children but is easily preventable by a vaccine. The disease spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing. Measles symptoms don’t appear until 10 to 14 days after exposure. They include: cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever, and a red, blotchy skin rash.

There have been 2 deaths and  17% have been hospitalized. In 95%  of the cases the person was not vaccinated. This statistic proves why it is so important to have your kids vaccinated and to know the facts, and not believe what you hear online. Daniel Lichtmann, MD, a pediatrician at Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley, states “The only safe and effective way to truly protect yourself from the virus is through vaccination. For anyone who cannot receive the vaccination for medical or age reasons, the best and safest thing is to vaccinate everyone around them.”

Many parents choose not to vaccinate their children despite what the doctors say. Many myths parents believe have led to many children being unvaccinated. Some parents believe that vaccines can cause autism or SIDS and they contain harmful ingredients. According to the CDC Vaccines are very safe. Most vaccine reactions are usually temporary and minor, such as a fever or sore arm. It is rare to experience a very serious health event following a vaccination, but these events are carefully monitored and investigated. You are far more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable disease than by a vaccine. For example, polio can cause paralysis, measles inflammation of the brain and blindness, and some vaccine-preventable diseases can even result in death. This is why it is important to vaccinate and not believe what is online. Get vaccinated today!