Texas is facing its worst measles outbreak in decades, leaving parents like Davery Jaso deeply concerned for their newborns. With nearly 500 reported cases in the U.S. this year—most of them in Texas—unvaccinated children remain at high risk.
Measles Outbreak: A Growing Concern for Parents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most of the measles cases reported in 2025 have been confirmed in Texas. The outbreak primarily affects children and teenagers who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
For parents like Davery Jaso, this crisis is more than just a statistic. Jaso, a Texas resident and mother of 3-week-old twins, Ezra and Adriel, is deeply worried. Since infants cannot receive their first measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine until they are at least 12 months old, they remain vulnerable to infection. Adding to her concerns, one of her twins, Adriel, was born with breathing issues, making him even more susceptible to complications from illnesses.
“I have air purifiers all through my house. I have one in my room. I have one in my son’s room. I have one in here,” Jaso told CBS News. “I do have concerns as far as going out in public or doing certain things.”
Could Vaccine Guidelines Change for Infants?
Under current CDC guidelines, the first MMR vaccine dose is given between 12 and 15 months, with a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. However, amid rising measles cases, some medical experts are pushing for a change in vaccination policies.
A recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by former CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky suggests that children as young as 6 months old should receive an extra early dose of the vaccine if they live in or plan to travel to an outbreak-prone area.
Dr. Lara Johnson, the chief medical officer at Covenant Health in Lubbock, Texas, has seen the outbreak firsthand. “We have generally between two and four patients in the hospital each day with measles,” she said.
Dr. Johnson assures parents that the vaccine is safe for infants as young as 6 months. “There really aren’t any significant concerns with that,” she emphasized.
Her hospitals have already administered 62 early doses of the measles vaccine to infants aged 6 to 12 months in 2025, at the request of parents.
Jaso, who is taking every precaution to protect her newborns, is considering early vaccination if recommendations change. “It is something that I would consider, just for the safety of my kids, really,” she said. “As a parent, my job is to make sure they are taken care of, and when it comes to sickness, I would do whatever is necessary.”
Measles Cases Surpass 2024 Numbers—A Worsening Crisis
CDC data shows that the total number of measles cases in the U.S. for 2025 has already surpassed the number of infections recorded in all of 2024, which stood at 285.
This year alone, five measles outbreaks—defined as three or more connected cases—have been reported, compared to 16 in the previous year.
Alarming statistics from the CDC reveal that 97% of the nearly 500 reported cases involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unclear.
Where Are Measles Cases Being Reported?
So far in 2025, measles cases have been recorded across 20 states, including:
- Alaska
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York City
- New York State
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
Why Are Measles Cases Rising?
Experts believe several factors are contributing to the surge in measles cases:
- Declining Vaccination Rates – Misinformation about vaccines has led to a rise in vaccine hesitancy, causing lower immunization rates in certain communities.
- Increased Travel – With more people traveling domestically and internationally, the risk of measles exposure increases.
- Delays in Routine Vaccinations – The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine childhood vaccinations, leaving more children vulnerable.
How Parents Can Protect Their Children
For parents with infants too young for vaccination, medical experts recommend several precautionary steps:
- Limit Public Exposure – Avoid crowded places or unnecessary outings, especially in outbreak areas.
- Use Air Purifiers – As Jaso does, having air purifiers at home can help reduce airborne contaminants.
- Ensure Close Contacts Are Vaccinated – Family members and caregivers should be up to date on their MMR vaccinations.
- Follow CDC Updates – Stay informed about new vaccination guidelines and outbreak reports.
Looking Ahead: Will Vaccine Policies Change?
As the measles outbreak continues, there is growing debate over whether the CDC should officially update vaccination guidelines to allow infants in high-risk areas to receive an early MMR dose.
For parents like Jaso, any changes that help protect newborns from this highly contagious disease would be a welcome relief. Until then, families in Texas and across the U.S. remain on high alert as the measles outbreak shows no signs of slowing down.
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