Measles outbreak "slowing," but newborn's family still can't meet her
Summary
A measles outbreak is slowing in Utah, but the number of cases across the U.S. is higher than last year. A baby named Kasey is too young to get the vaccine, so her parents must keep her away from others to protect her from the disease.Key Facts
- Utah's measles cases have dropped sharply since a March peak, leading to a return to the usual vaccination schedule at 12 months old.
- Nationally, measles cases in 2026 have already exceeded the full total for 2025, with 2,295 confirmed cases as of July 21.
- Kasey, the baby in Mill Creek, Utah, is too young to be vaccinated; she must wait until she is at least six months or more likely a year old.
- Until babies can be vaccinated, they rely on "herd immunity," or protection from people around them being vaccinated.
- Herd immunity is weakening because fewer children are being vaccinated on time; national kindergarten MMR coverage dropped from 95.2% five years ago to 92.5% last year.
- Measles can cause "immune amnesia," which weakens the immune system’s memory for past infections for up to two years.
- Because of lower overall immunity, vulnerable groups like newborns and people with weak immune systems face higher risks from the disease.
- Parents like Abby and Liam are limiting their social and travel activities to protect their young child from measles despite being vaccinated themselves.
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