Measles Surge, Vaccine Misinformation Challenge Immunization Efforts Across US, Lagos

Health officials across the United States and Nigeria are raising alarms over declining vaccination rates and the spread of preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough, exacerbated by misinformation and confusing federal guidance. In South Carolina, 33 measles cases this year have mostly involved unvaccinated individuals, with health experts emphasizing the importance of completing the two-dose MMR vaccine series and early quarantining to prevent outbreaks. Lagos State officials warn that misinformation is a major factor driving vaccine hesitancy, urging community leaders to participate in campaigns to boost immunization among children under five. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently laid off staff supporting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), delaying vaccine recommendations and raising concerns about the influence of anti-vaccine advisers. Kansas City health authorities cite confusing CDC vaccine policy changes, including the downgrading of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and changes to combination vaccines, as contributing to increased vaccine hesitancy and a surge in pertussis cases. Experts highlight that knowledge gaps and misinformation continue to undermine vaccine uptake, and call for trusted healthcare providers to be the primary source of accurate vaccine information.