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Before the introduction of the vaccine, measles was a prevalent disease that meant sickness or death for up to 4 million people each year, according to the CDC.
After the vaccine, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
However, vaccine hesitance and incorrect information about the measles (MMR) vaccine have caused fewer vaccines to be administered and the virus to spread, revoking the country’s “eliminated” status.
As states continue to report cases of the virus, it’s more important now than ever to stay informed about measles to protect you and your familia.
That’s why Health Confianza – a partnership between UT Health San Antonio, UT San Antonio, and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District – has developed resources to help educate families and communities about measles.
Let’s go over these bilingual measles resources and how they can be applied.
Measles Webinar
Because measles hasn’t been a prominent health threat in decades, Health Confianza turned to health professionals to educate the community about the virus.
Adelita Cantu, a Salud Hero, nurse, and associate professor at UT Health San Antonio, provided her expertise in a measles presentation event to parents and community members.
The webinar, “KLRN Health Kids Project ‘Springtime Salud” breaks down the history, symptoms, impacts, and effectiveness of measles vaccine so parents have the information they need to protect their children from measles.
Busting Measles Myths
There are several myths and misunderstandings surrounding measles and the vaccine.
These inaccurate assumptions have led to limited awareness and understanding of vaccine effectiveness and its role in preventing the virus.
They have also contributed to a steady decline of childhood immunization in the U.S. and the sudden return of the virus.
To combat this, Health Confianza enlisted Dr. Maria Fernandez Falcon, a pediatrician at UT Health San Antonio, to set the record straight.
In the bilingual Measles Myths resource, she breaks down some of the most common myths about measles and vaccinations, including the belief that there are natural ways to prevent measles.
Check out the resource in English and Spanish.
Measles FAQ
Health Confianza is looking to raise awareness about measles and the vaccine by using trusted resources.
Dr. Rachel Pearson, a pediatrician at UT Health San Antonio, called on her expertise as a clinician and a mother to answer burning questions that parents have about these topics.
The FAQ addresses questions about vaccine recommendations, measles symptoms, vaccine protections, worries about virus exposure, and more.
The FAQ is available for download in English and Spanish.
For even more information about measles and vaccines, check out Health Confianza’s list of trusted local and national resources.
What Does the Health of Your Community Look Like?
What does the health of your community look like?
Find out by downloading a Salud America! Health Report Card for your town!
Enter your county name and get auto-generated local data with interactive maps and comparative gauges on several health indicators. This can help you visualize and explore local issues in education, housing, transportation, food, health, and more.
See how your county stacks up compared to the rest of your state and nation.
Then email the Report Card to local leaders to raise awareness, include the data in a presentation or grant proposal, or share it on social media to drive healthy change in your community!
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
