Health officials in King County have confirmed Washington state’s first measles case of 2025—a stark reminder of the risks tied to declining vaccination rates. The case, reported on February 26, involves an infant who was exposed to the virus while traveling overseas. After returning, the child visited several locations in the Seattle and Bellevue areas, raising concerns about public exposure.
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known and spreads quickly among unvaccinated individuals. Fortunately, people who have received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are highly protected. According to Public Health – Seattle & King County, the MMR vaccine is approximately 97% effective after two doses.
Still, health authorities worry that the community may not be fully protected. For herd immunity to be effective against measles, roughly 95% of the population must be vaccinated. Currently, only about 87% of 2-year-olds in King County have received the vaccine, and just 72% of children aged 4 to 6 have received both recommended doses.
U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, a pediatrician representing Washington’s 8th Congressional District, voiced serious concerns about the potential consequences of growing vaccine skepticism—especially under the influence of controversial figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who now leads the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has been widely criticized for promoting unfounded theories about vaccines and recently downplayed the measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.
Schrier, speaking with KUOW, emphasized that measles outbreaks should not be seen as routine. “This disease is highly contagious, dangerous, and entirely preventable with a safe and effective vaccine,” she said. “Why risk the suffering of children when we have the means to stop it?”
Her frustrations were amplified when she urged the House Oversight Committee to hold Kennedy accountable for the rise in preventable disease outbreaks. Instead of support, her concerns were met with laughter from some Republican colleagues.
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“I was shocked,” Schrier said. “As a pediatrician, I don’t think we should have to wait until children are seriously ill—or worse—before taking this seriously. This is not a joke.”
Schrier also highlighted the dangers of dismissing other common vaccinations, including those for seasonal flu. While the flu vaccine isn’t 100% effective, it can still reduce the severity of illness. “A milder case of the flu can mean the difference between a few days of discomfort and a hospital stay,” she said.
She empathized with parents navigating vaccine decisions today, noting that many haven’t witnessed the devastating effects of once-common diseases like polio or measles. “Because these diseases have been under control for so long, some parents only consider the rare side effects of vaccines, not the consequences of the diseases themselves,” Schrier said.
She also lamented the resurgence of measles in a country where it was declared eradicated back in 2000. “It’s tragic that misinformation has undone decades of progress. Every outbreak we see now could have been prevented.”
In 2024, King County reported three cases of measles. As public health officials brace for more, they continue urging families to make informed decisions grounded in science, not fear or misinformation .
