The Politics of Measles Are Getting Ahead of Facts
The 2026 measles outbreak in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, was the largest in the U.S. in over 30 years, involving nearly 1,000 cases and primarily affecting unvaccinated populations. The outbreak was concentrated in the Ukrainian community, highlighting the role of international migration and low vaccination rates in conflict-affected regions. Public health narratives focusing on kindergarten vaccination rates or U.S. political figures overlook the significant contribution of under-vaccinated immigrant populations and historical distrust in state health systems.
- ▪The Spartanburg County measles outbreak in 2026 involved nearly 1,000 cases, the largest in the U.S. in more than 30 years.
- ▪The outbreak was concentrated in the Ukrainian community, where vaccination rates dropped below 50% between 2010 and 2020 and again in 2022.
- ▪Adults over 18 accounted for 30% of measles cases in the U.S. and 40% in Canada, reversing pre-vaccine era age demographics.
- ▪Ukrainian vaccine skepticism predates U.S. political rhetoric and stems from historical distrust of state institutions and a 2008 incident involving vaccine destruction.
- ▪Smaller U.S. outbreaks have also occurred among Venezuelan and Somali communities, both of which have experienced low vaccination rates due to political instability.
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up next: now reading: The Politics of Measles Are Getting Ahead of the Facts The Politics of Measles Are Getting Ahead of the FactsANALYSIS By Cory FranklinMay 05, 2026 AP AP X Story Stream recent articles Video: Global Warming Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit ... Article: Global Warming Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit ... Article: Global Warming Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit ... Entry: Global Warming Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit ... Video: Global Warming Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit ... Health officials in South Carolina recently declared the 2026 Spartanburg County measles outbreak over. The outbreak involved nearly 1,000 cases, the largest in the U.S. in more than 30 years.
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