Utah’s health department recommends the measles vaccine in response to Texas outbreak
Feb 28, 2025, 11:00 AM | Updated: 6:12 pm
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services is hoping Utahns review their measles vaccination status and consult with doctors as measles outbreaks occur in the United States. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services is hoping Utahns review their measles vaccination status and consult with doctors as measles outbreaks occur in the United States. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News, File)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health and Human Services is concerned by measles cases in other states including Texas and New Mexico. But Utahns, especially those who are vaccinated, do not need to worry.
Amelia Salmanson, the department’s preventable disease manager, said it is working on preparing right now — making sure notification systems are in place, working with local public health departments, and reminding medical professionals to be alert and consider measles for patients with a fever and rash.
She said the amount of recent cases, and how quickly cases are spreading, is concerning — especially with a child’s death in Texas and an outbreak in a neighboring state.
“Right now, we’re really in kind of a preventative stage of asking people to get vaccinated and to monitor their vaccine status,” Salmanson said.
She said anyone who is vaccinated has a “very, very low” risk of getting measles; the vaccine is about 97% effective with the two recommended doses. The health department does not recommend any steps after exposure to someone who has been vaccinated.
“It’s a very good vaccine, and it’s very safe,” she said.
Salmanson said the health department will notify people as soon as there is a case in Utah. Utah had one case in 2023 and three in 2017 — each initiated by someone traveling internationally.
Salmanson said the department is specifically encouraging vaccinations before traveling, both within and outside the United States. She said anyone who travels to an area with an outbreak, who isn’t vaccinated, should be cautious of cold and flu symptoms followed by a rash.
“This is a serious disease, it does spread more than any other infectious disease, but really … the vaccine is very good, and it is very effective,” she said.
Despite the low risk of contracting measles in Utah, Salmanson still encourages staying home when you don’t feel well. She said there are also multiple respiratory illnesses going around that people should avoid spreading.
“That is a big message in general that we are trying to say … if you’re sick, stay home,” she said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting three outbreaks so far in 2025, compared to 16 outbreaks throughout 2024.
On Thursday, Texas reported 124 cases of measles this year, and New Mexico reported nine — which is pretty high when considering there were 285 cases reported by the CDC in all of 2024. The CDC also said cases have been reported this year in Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New York City and Rhode Island.
In 2019, the CDC reported a total of 1,274 cases — the most cases since 1992. In 2000, the United States declared measles was eliminated, almost four decades after the vaccine was licensed and one decade after a second dose was recommended.
Salmanson said Utah’s vaccination coverage overall is around 90%, but rates are lower in some health districts than others including those in southwest Utah, central Utah and northeast Utah.
Utah requires the measles vaccine before beginning kindergarten at a public school. Those who are not vaccinated are required to have an exception on file, so officials can identify those at risk for contracting measles if there has been exposure.
Salmanson said adults who may have missed the vaccine can check their vaccination status using methods on the health department’s website and can talk to their health provider about getting vaccinated.
Salmanson said measles begins like other illnesses, with general cold symptoms. A few days later, a rash will begin often starting at the hairline or forehead.
If you do suspect measles, she suggested calling ahead before going to a clinic because of how infectious it can be.
There is no at-home test, but doctors can do a blood test to determine immunity or infection — however, she said testing is just part of the assessment process. At least in areas not associated with an outbreak, diagnosing includes a look at vaccination status and tracing a person with symptoms to possible exposure.
People can review their individual school or school district’s vaccination rates online through the Utah health department’s vaccination dashboard.
