Were measles cases declining before the measles vaccine was introduced? Yes, they were—and that’s a fact worth acknowledging. But the rate of decline after vaccination dwarfed anything we saw before. While we saw gradual improvements over decades, the introduction of the vaccine in 1963 triggered a stunning 97% drop in just five years. Let’s look at what the data really shows about measles, vaccines, and public health measures working together.
Image source used in the video: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/measles-outbreaks-are-on-the-rise-in-the-us-16064713/
We also addressed another hot measles-related topic: Word-mincing that distinguishes between dying "with" rather than "from" measles obscures medical reality and diminishes a tragic loss. The facts from Texas health officials are clear: an unvaccinated, previously healthy child died because of measles. This heartbreaking case underscores why vaccination is crucial—to prevent needless suffering and protect both healthy children and vulnerable members of our society.
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-march-4-2025
Finally, we had the amazing Dr. Adam Ratner on the podcast to talk about measles and the MMR vaccine. It was a fantastic discussion, and we encourage you all to tune in! You should also pick up a copy of his book, Booster Shots, which is a must-read (and, unfortunately, very timely).
Stay Curious,
Unbiased Science
P.S. Want to support this kind of analysis? The best way is to subscribe to our Substack and share our work. While all our articles are always completely free to read, paid subscriptions help sustain our in-depth reporting on vaccine policy and public health. Thank you for considering it!
Share this post