How Governors Are Responding to Measles Outbreaks in Their States
If measles is like the canary in the coal mine, many of our Governors are like coal miners continuing to work with dead birds in their cages…
As measles cases spread to more and more states, we are getting a good idea of how each state is going to control and try to stop their outbreaks.
How Governors Are Responding to Measles Outbreaks in Their States
Let’s look at Kansas, for example.
There have been 37 cases of measles in Kansas so far this year.
And that prompted this speech from Laura Kelly, the Governor of Kansas:
“I'm here today, and I'm sure you all are too, for one reason, and one reason only – to protect our children,” Gov. Kelly said. “On March 13, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported a positive case of measles in Kansas, the first case of measles reported in Kansas since 2008. As of April 22, there are 37 confined cases in Kansas, all of them in the southwestern region. This measles outbreak is serious and it reminds us how the health of our community, especially our children, depends on all of us to recognize our collective responsibility to each other. When I was growing up, measles wasn't something you just read about, it was a disease you actually got, and/or your friends got, and it made people incredibly sick. Some were hospitalized, some were left with permanent complications, and some ultimately didn't make it. Measles spreads through our classrooms, our recreation centers, and grocery stores. It lingers in the air and can cause real harm. No parent wants to see their child in the hospital over something we know how to prevent. Measles is not new, and neither is the solution. We have beaten this disease before through common sense and prevention. For decades, measles nearly disappeared, and now it's back. Not because science has changed, but because misinformation got in the way.”
“In 1955, when the polio vaccine became available, the first town in the U.S. to line up and get the vaccine was Protection, Kansas. Those families trusted science, trusted one another, and they took action to keep their children and their neighbors safe,” Gov. Kelly said. “They didn't ask who the president was, or who got credit, they just wanted to protect their children and neighbors. We need that same kind of response now – at the kitchen table, at doctors' offices, and in our schools. Let's be clear – the measles vaccine works, and it is very safe. One dose is 93 percent effective, and two doses is 97 percent effective. Yet, too many Kansas children are still unprotected – in some areas, vaccination rates have dropped below 90 percent, and that's why there is the outbreak we're seeing today.”
“I want to speak directly to the moms and dads, the grandparents and caregivers making decisions for their families who might have some questions about the vaccine and want to be cautious and do right by your children. Those are normal concerns, but you do NOT have to do this alone. Talk to your doctor, ask questions, get the facts, and then make a plan. The facts are simple – measles spreads very quickly, and this disease is very dangerous for young children and those with compromised immune systems. You can prevent that with two doses of the MMR vaccine. This is NOT political. This is NOT about ideology. It's about protecting the children in your carpool, at your kitchen table, and in your community. We ALL want our children to be safe, and we want them in school learning and growing, and surrounded by adults who are doing what it takes to keep them safe and healthy. Kansas families have always taken this seriously. We were the first state to respond to the polio crisis and one of the first states to require back-to-school vaccinations, and we have always made our children's health a high priority. That commitment is part of what has made Kansas so strong.”
“In recent years, the Kansas Legislature has chipped away at the public health tools communities rely on. They've made it harder for schools and local health departments to act quickly when outbreaks occur. We need those tools back,” Gov. Kelly said. “Even without them, however, we're not powerless. Parents still have the most powerful tool of all – prevention. So now, I'm asking Kansas families to do what Kansans have always done – put your children first. Talk to your doctor(s), and get your child(ren) vaccinated. We've done this before, let's do it again and protect Kansas children.”
Kelly provides statement about measles outbreak in Kansas
It was a plea for folks to get vaccinated and help stop their measles outbreaks!
And yet in Texas, where we have had 675 cases in 34 counties, what have we heard from the Governor?
It has basically been crickets…
“After The Texas Tribune reported that state leaders had not addressed the outbreak publicly even after a child died, Gov. Greg Abbott posted on social media that he had directed the state to deploy “all necessary resources to ensure the safety and health needs of Texans.” He did not mention the vaccine.”
Push for Texas to weaken vaccine mandates persists as measles surge
We got a tweet a few months ago that didn’t mention vaccines, the one way to stop the outbreaks.
And no new statement, even though two unvaccinated children in Texas have died in our ongoing measles outbreak.
The largest outbreak in Texas in 32 years!
Contrast the response in Texas to what they are seeing in New Mexico:
The governor said the health department also would expand its “whole measles education” outreach “because infants to one-year-olds can’t have the vaccine, which means there’s no protection for them, so we have to really think about exposure where they are.” She said people can expect regular briefings on measles and infectious diseases. “It’s a great place for me to pitch,” she said. “Please get a vaccine. If you haven’t had a measles vaccine, get one. If you think you need a booster, get one. They’re free.”
New Mexico Gov said measles reporting may look different as cases rise
There have been 66 cases of measles in 4 counties in New Mexico and their Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, is urging folks to get vaccinated!
“In response to Hawai‘i’s first confirmed case of measles in years, Governor Josh Green, M.D., joined Department of Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink and The Queen’s Health Systems Clinical Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Nadine Tenn Salle, to issue an urgent call to action: protect Hawai‘i’s communities through vaccination.”
Governor Green and Health Leaders Urge Vaccination Amid National Measles Crisis
In Hawaii, just one case got the Governor moving!
Why make a fuss about one case? Because Governor Josh Green understands analogy of how measles is like the canary in the coal mine.
One case, especially as vaccination rates have dropped with the rise in vaccine hesitancy and popularity of anti-vaccine influencers, can quickly turn into an outbreak.
And just so you know that this isn’t a red vs. blue, republican vs. democrat governor thing, look at what Republican Governor of Nebraska, Jim Pillen has already said when they haven’t even had their first case yet!
“Our goal is to prevent cases from showing up in our state and to ensure the protection of our kids, families, and communities," said Gov. Pillen. “When it comes to measles, vaccination is the most effective tool available."
Governor Pillen Shares Nebraska’s Measles Response Plan and Urges Nebraskans to Receive MMR Vaccine
Why are some of these Governors so aggressive?
“We've had measles available since 1963. The vaccination has been determined to have saved 60 million lives over the last 20 years alone, 60 million lives … Let's go forward together into an era where we actually respect the doctors, and the researchers and scientific advancement so no child ever has to suffer the effects of a 104 degree fever or the pain of a burning rash. We can make our society free from this, or at least our state. That's what I'm calling on all New Yorkers.”
Governor Hochul Launches New Web Portal to Support Access to Vaccines and Public Health Information
They know that measles is a killer disease.
And they know that it is very expensive to contain a measles outbreaks.
Which really begs the question — why have so many other Governors remained silent in the face of rising misinformation and measles cases in more than half of states as we surge to a record setting year?
References
Kelly provides statement about measles outbreak in Kansas https://liberalfirst.com/index.php/en/news/2480-kelly-provides-statement-about-measles-outbreak-in-kansas
Push for Texas to weaken vaccine mandates persists as measles surge https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-measles-legislation-vaccines/
Gov. Greg Abbott silent about vaccinations as second child dies in Texas measles outbreak https://www.sacurrent.com/news/gov-greg-abbott-silent-about-vaccinations-as-second-child-dies-in-texas-measles-outbreak-37180014
New Mexico Gov said measles reporting may look different as cases rise https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2025/04/11/new-mexico-gov-said-measles-reporting-may-look-different-as-cases-rise/
Governor Green and Health Leaders Urge Vaccination Amid National Measles Crisis https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-first-hawai%CA%BBi-measles-case-of-2025-confirmed-gov-green-health-leaders-urge-vaccination-amid-national-crisis/
Governor Pillen Shares Nebraska’s Measles Response Plan and Urges Nebraskans to Receive MMR Vaccine https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Governor-Pillen-Shares-Nebraskas-Measles-Response-Plan.aspx
Governor Hochul Launches New Web Portal to Support Access to Vaccines and Public Health Information https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-measles-cases-spread-governor-hochul-launches-new-web
Texas is poised to make measles a nationwide epidemic, public health experts say. https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/21/texas-measles-vaccine-new-mexico-oklahoma-us/
Great messaging from Kansas Governor Kelly, and some pushback against her state's red legislature - some of whom believe the anti-vaccine nonsense - others just taking advantage of the politicalization.
And then there's Abbott in Texas, who can usually be expected to do what's wrong. I'm kind of surprised he's still allowing Texas DOH to function as they should (so far).