Local health experts encourage measles vaccination as state reports first case in years

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee Department of Health has reported the state’s first measles case since 2019 , but local health experts say fewer parents are getting their children vaccinated for the virus.

According to the Department of Health, the infected Tennessee resident recently traveled internationally and was not vaccinated.

The dean of East Tennessee State University’s College of Public Health says fewer kids are rolling up their sleeves across the country.

“Unfortunately, we see a significant number of people who are not vaccinated against measles, and a surprising percent of people who feel the vaccine is worse than the disease, and that the vaccine causes autism. Both of which simply are not true,” said Dr. Randy Wykoff.

The Northeast Regional Health Office, which covers multiple Northeast Tennessee counties, says those who get infected overseas can then spread measles when they return home. Health experts encourage getting the measles vaccine.

“Measles is recommended for all kids to be up to date on measles vaccination,” Dr. David Kirschke, medical director for the Northeast Regional Health Office, said. “So, we definitely recommend everybody, all children are vaccinated against measles, especially. It’s one of the requirements to get into school.”

Measles is highly contagious and can be spread through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes.

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