Measles, whooping cough surge in Michigan amid falling vaccination rates
- Michigan sees a spike in measles and whooping cough as vaccination rates for these diseases decline
- Michigan is one of nine states with active measles outbreaks
- A new study shows that a decline in US measles vaccinations could result in hundreds of thousands of cases over the next 25 years
Health experts are raising alarms about declining childhood immunization rates in Michigan amid a surge in cases of measles and whooping cough
The state confirmed its first measles outbreak since 2019 last week, when at least three individuals were exposed near Grand Rapids. So far, the state has reported nine cases statewide, including four in Montcalm County.
“We are seeing some real consequences from declining childhood vaccination rates,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive, said at a media briefing Thursday.
“These diseases are dangerous, especially for infants that are too young to be fully vaccinated. This is a really good time for every parent to make sure that their child is protected before summer travel and gatherings.”
As of March, vaccine coverage for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) for children between 19 and 35 months is down to 79.4% from about 85% in March 2020, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Measles spreads very easily, but the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is also extremely effective, providing 97% protection after two doses and 93% after a single dose, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms also include tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth. Anyone with symptoms is asked to call ahead for care so medical staff can set up isolation procedures.
The state is also seeing an increase in pertussis, or whooping cough, among young children.
In 2024, Michigan reported 2,081 cases of pertussis. So far in 2025, the state has already reported 676 pertussis cases, including 112 in infants under age two, the age group most at risk for severe complications.
As of December, only 72.5% of Michigan children between 19 and 35 months had received four or more doses of DTaP, which is a combination vaccine that protects infants and young children against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
Related:
- Michigan joins six other states with measles outbreaks. What to know
- Oakland County confirms first Michigan measles case this year
- Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Michigan, as vaccinations decline
Generally, vaccine rates have gone down in recent years among young children in Michigan.
Only 68.4% of adolescents in Michigan have received all the vaccines recommended to protect them from 14 serious diseases by the time they’re 2 years old, according to MDHHS.
“Vaccinating your child is one of the safest and most effective things you can do to protect them,” Veronica McNally, president of the Franny Strong Foundation and Founder of the I Vaccinate campaign, said at the Thursday briefing.
McNally’s daughter Francesca Marie died at 12 weeks old from whooping cough. She died within nine days of showing symptoms, which was a mild cough.
“I know the significance of having a child with a vaccine-preventable disease and that vaccine-preventable disease causing death and I would do anything to be able to spare parents from what our family had to go through,” she said.
Low vaccination rates, high measles risk
The US had up to 800 cases of measles nationwide as of Friday. Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children died from measles-related illnesses in the epicenter in West Texas, and an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness.
In addition to Michigan, other states with active outbreaks — defined as three or more cases — include Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Mexico. The U.S. has more than double the number of measles cases it saw in all of 2024.
Health officials in Texas linked the outbreak to a lack of funding needed for vaccine programs. As of April 18, there have been 624 confirmed cases of measles in the Lone Star State, most in West Texas, since late January.
As the virus crosses borders, new research is revealing how vulnerable populations could become if vaccination rates continue to drop.
A new study published Thursday shows that if vaccination rates for measles drop 10% in the US, it could result in millions of cases over the next 25 years.
The study by the medical journal JAMA predicts that current state-level vaccination rates could cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and deaths from measles.
On the other hand, the study also shows that just a 5% increase in vaccination for measles would result in just a few thousand cases over the span of 25 years.
“It is important to note that the vast majority, 97% of the cases that we have seen nationally have been unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status,” said Dr. Bagdasarian. “What that tells us is that … the vaccine works.”
Where to find vaccine information, locations
Michigan residents can find a vaccine provider here by entering their zip code, or contact their local health department.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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