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cover of episode Make America Measles Again (MAMA)

Make America Measles Again (MAMA)

2025/3/24
logo of podcast Today, Explained

Today, Explained

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Kira Butler
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Mary Kakatos
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Sean Rameswaram
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Sean Rameswaram: 美国在2000年消除了麻疹,但此后多次出现疫情爆发,2025年的疫情尤其严重,这与罗伯特·F·肯尼迪担任卫生与公众服务部部长有关。 Mary Kakatos: 西德克萨斯州的麻疹疫情主要影响未接种疫苗的人群,特别是儿童和青少年,已造成一人死亡,疫情已蔓延至美国多个州。德克萨斯州此次麻疹疫情传播迅速,原因是该地区疫苗接种率低,且疫苗豁免率高。疫情爆发地是门诺派社区,该社区疫苗接种率低,且受到反疫苗宣传的影响。反疫苗倡导者散布关于麻疹疫苗危险性的错误信息,加剧了疫情的传播。麻疹疫苗安全有效,两剂疫苗的有效率分别为93%和97%。麻疹病毒传染性极强,一人可感染12-18人。麻疹可能导致严重的并发症,包括住院、耳部感染、肺炎和脑炎等。德克萨斯州的医生和卫生官员正在努力控制疫情,并建议为6个月到11个月大的儿童接种额外剂量的疫苗。目前尚不清楚疫苗怀疑论者和接种疫苗者之间谁将赢得这场斗争。各州对麻疹疫情的应对主要由州和地方卫生官员负责,CDC提供必要的支持。 Kira Butler: 罗伯特·F·肯尼迪三世是卫生与公众服务部部长,他曾是一个反疫苗倡导组织的领导者。肯尼迪就疫苗问题发表了相互矛盾的言论,一方面支持疫苗接种,另一方面又传播错误信息,传播了关于疫苗不良反应和麻疹替代疗法的错误信息。肯尼迪关于麻疹替代疗法的言论缺乏事实依据。高剂量的维生素A是麻疹治疗方案的一部分,但它不能预防麻疹。肯尼迪的言论前后矛盾,他既承认疫苗有用,又推广未经证实的疗法,而预防麻疹的唯一方法是接种疫苗。肯尼迪长期以来一直倡导疫苗有害的观点,并影响了CDC重新研究疫苗与自闭症之间的联系。肯尼迪认为疫苗接种是一个个人选择,这与门诺派社区的一些成员的观点相符。门诺派社区和纽约的正统犹太社区等孤立的社区容易受到反疫苗宣传的影响。自新冠疫情以来,美国的反疫苗情绪有所增加,儿童常规疫苗接种率下降。肯尼迪领导的反疫苗组织正在西德克萨斯州疫情中心分发未经证实的治疗方法。一个名为“真理健康”的全科诊所正在分发这些未经证实的治疗方法,并声称麻疹是可以治愈的。一个孩子死于麻疹,但其父母仍然选择不接种疫苗,并认为他们其他孩子的轻微症状是由于接受了替代疗法。即使接受了替代疗法,麻疹患者的症状好转也可能是自然恢复的结果。西德克萨斯州的麻疹疫情是对肯尼迪领导能力的早期考验。肯尼迪在应对禽流感疫情时,建议让病毒在禽群中传播,这与他在麻疹疫情中的应对方式类似。肯尼迪作为卫生与公众服务部部长和公众人物的影响力不容忽视。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The number of measles cases in the US has reached a 20-year high in 2025, with a significant outbreak in West Texas. The outbreak is impacting unvaccinated individuals and those with unknown vaccination status, particularly children and teenagers. This outbreak is unique due to the low vaccination rates and high exemption rates in the affected community.
  • Measles cases in the US have reached a 20-year high in 2025.
  • Significant outbreak in West Texas, affecting unvaccinated individuals.
  • High exemption rates in the affected community contribute to rapid spread.

Shownotes Transcript

The US eliminated measles, but now it’s making a comeback — and RFK Jr’s advice isn’t exactly helping.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast)

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members)

A sign offering measles testing outside of Seminole Hospital District in Seminole, Texas. AP Photo/Julio Cortez.

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