South Carolina Measles Outbreak Reaches Over 900 Cases

Is the result of anti-vaccine misinformation or eroded public trust?
South Carolina Measles Outbreak Reaches Over 900 Cases
Above: The MMR vaccine administered at the Parkside Pediatrics practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Jan. 30. Image credit: Washington Post/Getty Images

The Spin

Left narrative

Measles encephalitis is devastating children in South Carolina, causing irreversible brain damage and developmental delays that will haunt these kids for life. This preventable tragedy stems directly from plummeting vaccination rates, with 93% of cases hitting unvaccinated individuals while the safe, 97% effective MMR vaccine sits unused.

Right narrative

The measles outbreak highlights a crisis of public trust that existed before the current administration, stemming from poor COVID-era policies, inconsistent messaging, and extended mandates. Although the CDC continues to recommend MMR vaccines, many parents remain hesitant. This hesitation is understandable, given the lack of genuine informed consent and open discussions about the risks involved. The narrative often places blame on concerned parents instead of addressing the reasons why trust has been so severely undermined by constant pressure regarding vaccinations.

Metaculus Prediction


The Controversies



Political split

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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0

© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0