Introduction
This guide explains recent US vaccine policy changes and why measles is resurging — without political framing or advocacy.
1. What Changed in US Vaccine Guidance
Recent federal updates have:
- Reduced the number of vaccines labeled as “routine”
- Expanded shared decision-making language
- Shifted emphasis away from population-level framing
These changes affect guidance language, not vaccine safety, licensing, or effectiveness.
Important Clarification
2. Why Measles Is Central to This Discussion
Measles requires extremely high immunity levels to prevent spread.
Key characteristics:
- Airborne transmission
- Infectious before symptoms appear
- One case can infect many others rapidly
Measles Risk Profile
- Rapid community spread
- High hospitalization rates in children
- Severe complications remain possible
3. Denmark vs the United States
Denmark’s success depends on:
- High baseline vaccination coverage
- Consistent healthcare access
- Strong public trust in institutions
The US differs in population size, mobility, and coverage gaps — making measles outbreaks more likely when uptake declines.
4. What Has Not Changed
Despite policy debate:
- MMR remains highly effective
- Measles immunity thresholds remain unchanged
- Pediatric and infectious-disease societies continue routine recommendations
- State-level school requirements largely persist
5. Practical Guidance for Families
- Ensure measles immunity is up to date
- Pay attention to local outbreak reports
- Understand that “optional” does not equal “low risk”
- Adults unsure of immunity may require confirmation
Summary
Measles is not responding to ideology or policy language.
It is responding to immunity gaps — exactly as expected.