TX lawmakers vote to make school vaccine exemptions easier

[struggle4progress]

May 27, 2025 2:24 PM EDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas this year has been the center of the nation’s largest measles outbreak in more than two decades, as a mostly eradicated disease has sickened more than 700 in the state, sent dozens to hospitals and led to the death of two children who were unvaccinated.

But even as the outbreak slows, a bill approved by state lawmakers and sent to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott would make it significantly easier for parents to enroll their children in school without standard vaccinations for diseases such as measles, whooping cough, polio and hepatitis A and B ...

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/amid-measles-outbreak-texas-lawmakers-vote-to-make-school-vaccine-exemptions-easier

[sakabatou]

1. Lemme re-write the headline...

"TX lawmakers vote to make it easier for diseases to spread"

[Torchlight]

2. The war against science marches on.

"Can't let a few pathogens no one can even see with their own eyes tell us how to live our lives!" (Not a quote. Not Yet. Most certainly a neighbor eventually will pick up the banner and carry the king's colors)

[struggle4progress]

3. NE's first case of measles reported

Updated: 12:07 PM CDT May 27, 2025
Jake Anderson
Digital Media Manager

SHERIDAN COUNTY, Neb. —
Nebraska's first confirmed case of measles was reported by health officials.

The Panhandle Public Health District reported the case in Sheridan County, involving an "age-appropriately vaccinated child."

Officials said the child has not had any recent out-of-state travel history, which could "indicate potential spread within the community" ...

https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-measles-case-reported-panhandle-health-officials/64891556

[Solly Mack]

4. So much for children being the future.

[struggle4progress]

5. Virginia Health Officials confirm second measles case

Monique Calello
Staunton News Leader

The Virginia Department of Health reported the state’s second measles case of the year on May 23. The patient is a teenager (13-17 years) in the Northwest Region who recently traveled internationally. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH will not provide any additional information about the patient. Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed ...

https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/2025/05/27/virginia-health-officials-confirm-second-measles-case-in-charlottesville/83874043007/

[struggle4progress]

6. First Measles Case Since 2019 Reported in Iowa

by Nathan Konz
May 27, 2025

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed the state’s first measles case since 2019. The case involves an unvaccinated adult in central Iowa who tested positive through the State Hygienic Laboratory. The case marks Iowa’s entry into a broader swath of measles cases reported in 31 other jurisdictions, with 1,024 confirmed cases and three deaths in 2025. Officials note the individual’s contacts have been identified, and no widespread public exposure is anticipated. Iowa State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse says, “The best time to prevent measles is before an exposure occurs, and the best tool we have is getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Getting vaccinated not only protects you but also protects people in your community who can’t get vaccinated, like infants too young to begin the series and those who are immunosuppressed. We ask Iowans to review their vaccination records and medical records to ensure they are protected and to reach out to their health care provider if they have questions.” Measles is a highly contagious virus spread through the air and can cause severe complications in rare cases. HHS staff says the two-dose MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective. However, only 84 percent of Iowa’s two-year-olds are currently vaccinated, which is below the 95 percent threshold necessary for herd immunity.

https://www.1380kcim.com/2025/05/27/first-measles-case-since-2019-reported-in-iowa/

[VMA131Marine]

7. Adults with measles are at significantly greater of complications

than children.