Utah doctors and health officials push measles shots as schools reopen
Utah health officials and pediatric doctors are urging parents to vaccinate children against measles as the new school year begins amid ongoing cases.
At a press conference organized by the Utah Academy of Family Physicians, pediatric disease expert T.W. Jones described recent measles cases in Utah as severe, noting hospitalizations and significant family disruption. He compared the contagion risk to smoldering embers that can spark larger outbreaks, especially as schools reopen.
State epidemiologist Leisha Nolen reported more than 700 infections, with one-third seeking emergency care and 8% admitted, and emphasized that wastewater testing suggests additional undetected cases. She stressed the vulnerability of immunocompromised children, such as organ recipients, to potentially life-threatening disease. Immunization nurse Lee Cherie Booth explained that vaccines are widely available at health departments, pharmacies and clinics, and that cost should not be a barrier thanks to insurance coverage and assistance programs.
Why it matters
Vaccinating children now can curb a growing measles outbreak as schools reopen, protecting vulnerable kids and preventing further spread.
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