Given the recent confirmation of two measles cases in Houston, Austin Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated. Austin’s last confirmed measles case was in December 2019, and the Houston cases are the first in Texas since 2023. “Vaccination is our best defense against measles and other preventable diseases,” Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said in a statement to the press. “By staying up to date on vaccinations, we not only protect ourselves but also the most vulnerable members of our community.” Measles can affect anyone not up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, but young children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are at particular risk. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program was established in the 1990s to provide free vaccines and prevent outbreaks. More information on the more than 100 VFC providers in Austin can be found here.
Elizabeth Pagano is the editor of the Austin Monitor. More by Elizabeth Pagano