Doctors warn parents in Mid-South to be prepared for measles outbreak

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Parents, here’s a warning: The flu and RSV are not the only viruses to be aware of this winter.

The CDC warned that a growing number of children are “dangerously susceptible” to contracting measles, a disease once eliminated in the U.S.

Doctors said outbreaks are happening because a record high number of children have missed the measles vaccine.

While there have not been any reported cases so far in the Mid-South, health experts said it’s a concern because the virus can spread quickly across states and into communities.

“We just believe that if we can something to help prevent our kids from getting sick, why not try it?” Rebecca Chenalut of Memphis said.

For Chenault, keeping her one-year-old son healthy is a top priority. That’s why she keeps him up-to-date with his childhood vaccinations.

“We got them from birth, he’s gotten them with every checkup, so he’s been really up to date,” she said.

But it’s not the same for every family.

According to the World Health Organization, global childhood vaccination rates have experienced the largest dip in about three decades amid COVID-19 disruptions.

It’s a similar story in the Mid-South.

“A very drastic reduction, very concerning to many of our pediatricians and other practitioners in the state,” Dr. Jason Yaunn, a pediatrician at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, said.

Dr. Yaun said that the number of kids entering kindergarten with the required immunizations dropped by 30 percent this year in Tennessee.

It’s putting more children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases like measles. At least 44 children in Columbus, Ohio, have been infected with the disease.

“I obviously think that the pandemic had a huge impact on our access to care and our usual care,” Dr. Yaun said.

Shelby County health officials said that they are constantly looking out for any uptick in diseases in the community, including measles.

County health department director Dr. Michelle Taylor urged parents to make sure their kids are caught up on their shots.

“It protects not only their kids from diseases that can have really bad outcomes, but it also protects the family and the community,” she said.

If you need to get your child caught up on their vaccines, the Shelby County Health Department hosts an immunization clinic at their building on Jefferson Avenue from from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

You can also reach out to your child’s pediatrician to schedule an appointment.

FOX13 obtained vaccination rate information from the Arkansas Department of Health.

It compares childhood vaccinations pre- and post-COVID.

In 2018, more than 957,000 vaccines, excluding flu and COVID, were administrated to children 19 years and under in Arkansas.

In 2022, that number has dipped by nearly 150,000, to just under 811,000 vaccinations given.

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