During a recent interview with Ars Technica, Zach Holbrooks, the executive director of the South Plains Public Health District (SPPHD) encompassing Gaines County, highlighted a significant level of vaccine hesitancy within the area, particularly among its large religious population.

Potential for More Cases

Certain regions within the county are showing even lower vaccination rates than what county-wide figures suggest. Notably, one independent school district in Loop, located in the northeast part of Gaines County, reported a vaccination rate of just 46 percent for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The measles virus, recognized as one of the most contagious pathogens, can spread through the air and remain infectious in a room for up to two hours after an infected individual has vacated the area. Alarmingly, 90 percent of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus are likely to contract the disease, which typically presents with a high fever and distinctive rash. Statistics indicate that among unvaccinated individuals in the U.S., 1 in 5 will require hospitalization and about 1 in 20 may develop pneumonia. Moreover, the risk of death from measles ranges from 1 to 3 in 1,000 cases, and in rare situations, it can lead to a severe brain condition known as Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis later in life. Additionally, measles can result in a significant reduction in immunity to other infections, a phenomenon referred to as immune amnesia, increasing vulnerability to various other diseases.

“Given the highly contagious nature of measles, additional cases are anticipated in Gaines County and nearby areas,” stated the state health department.

While Gaines County’s low vaccination rates stand out, this trend reflects a broader decline in vaccination coverage across the United States, fueled by rising vaccine misinformation and hesitancy. Nationally, vaccination rates among kindergartners have dropped from 95 percent during the 2019-2020 school year to around 92 percent in the 2023-2024 school year. Concurrently, exemptions from vaccination requirements have reached record levels. Health professionals are warning that as this trend persists, more outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, similar to the one observed in Gaines County, are likely to emerge.