Emergency Update: Tragic Measles Death in a Child & a Concerning FDA Cancellation
Today, tragic news broke that an otherwise healthy, unvaccinated school-aged child has died in the Texas measles outbreak—the first pediatric measles death in the U.S. since 2003. In my interview with New York Times, I emphasized:
“Every single outbreak, illness, hospitalization and death is a tragedy, because it is entirely preventable with those vaccines”.
My heart goes out to this child’s family and their community. During my time practicing pediatrics in Montana, I had the privilege of caring for a wonderful Anabaptist community similar to the Mennonite communinty affected by this outbreak—some of the most selfless and caring people I have ever met. This death never should have happened.
When measles vaccination rates drop, an outbreak isn’t a matter of if, but when. Measles is extraordinarily contagious, spreading like wildfire in communities with low vaccination rates. That’s why we must work with communities to ensure they have the information and support they need to protect their children.
Shaming parents or children affected by vaccine-preventable diseases is not productive. Disinformation preys on normal parental anxieties, exploiting their deep desire to protect their children. Most parents aren’t acting out of bad intentions—they’re caught in a web of misleading information. Our focus must be on building trust, providing accurate information, and improving vaccine access.
It was also deeply troubling to hear our nation’s health secretary downplay the outbreak as “not unusual.” Every measles outbreak in the U.S. is highly unusual—because it is entirely preventable. Instead of undermining vaccines, we should be working to restore public confidence. As I told The Times:
“Right now, what we need to be doing as a nation is building confidence in one of the greatest public health tools ever created.”
Another Concerning Cancellation: The FDA’s VRBPAC Meeting
In other public health news, the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) unexpectedly canceled its March meeting—without explanation or any indication that it will be rescheduled.
Why does this matter? Each year, VRBPAC meets in the spring to determine which influenza strains should be included in the upcoming season’s flu vaccine. Their decision relies on global surveillance data, tracking which flu strains are circulating, how they’re evolving, and how well the previous vaccine performed. These evidence-based recommendations help ensure the flu vaccine provides the best possible protection.
With influenza constantly changing, VRBPAC’s work is critical. Canceling this meeting without transparency raises serious concerns. We need to ensure that decisions about our nation’s flu vaccine remain rigorous, data-driven, and free from political interference.
Community Immunity is a newsletter dedicated to vaccines, policy, and public health, offering clear science and meaningful conversations for health professionals, science communicators, policymakers, and anyone who wants to stay informed. This newsletter is free for everyone, and I want it to be a conversation, not just a broadcast. I’d love to hear your feedback, questions, and topic suggestions—let me know what’s on your mind! And if you find this valuable, please help spread the word!
In México kiddy vaccination is Mandatory: No Child is admitted to 1st grade unless has had all the mandated vaccines up to that age. And Basic Public Educations is Mandatory too.
I knew epidemiologists trying to apply the missing ones in a short period of time for the rare kid who had not a complete vaccination Schedule in the 90s.
Why is vaccination not Mandatory in the US? Or is it?.
Because if it is mandatory and a Child Died, assuming solidly causality, then there would be Legal Issues there.
I am not blaming the Parents here, you argued for them, maybe the Government Policies are to blame since Decades ago?.
In México since Decades ago there are large mandatory vaccination campaigns reaching really really isolated communities once or twice a year with Public funding. Some of those communities speak languages other than Spanish: they require a key contact within the community to fix things and receive, apply, etc., the vaccines.
Does that happen in the US once or twice a year with Public Money for ALL kids?
If not, why not, and since when?
I am not being contentious, I just find sometimes context from a more remote Past is way too relevant to omit. I have an example comparing my Country with yours for explainers, not on Medicine, but on Politics. I hope it helps:
https://federicosotodelalba.substack.com/p/sympathy?r=4up0lp
It is truly heart-breaking. I agree that parents are trying to make the best decisions and sometimes get caught in a "web of misleading information" that lures them away from evidence-based science and medicine like vaccines.