Lubbock Nears Measles-Free Status as Vaccine Uptake Rises

Lubbock County is nearing a major milestone, with nearly 60 days passing without a new case of measles, as reported by Katherine Wells, Director of Lubbock Public Health. As of Tuesday, Texas reported a total of 762 confirmed cases during its most severe measles outbreak in decades. In a positive development, Lubbock and the adjacent Gaines County, where there have been no new cases for almost 42 days, are beginning to exhibit signs of containment.

“The significance of 42 lies in our examination of two cycles of the disease,” Wells shared with EverythingLubbock.com. “The incubation period for measles lasts 21 days, meaning if we can go through two full incubation periods without any reported cases, we can confidently declare that the county is now free of measles.”

Lubbock County has taken significant action in response to the outbreak, administering over 3,000 more MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines than anticipated during the same timeframe last year—indicating a positive trend in community protection efforts.

Wells emphasized that, despite the decrease in local cases, measles continues to pose a significant risk. “We are witnessing an unprecedented level of measles cases in my entire public health career,” she remarked, highlighting the ongoing transmission not just in Texas but also extending into Mexico and Canada.

With the new school year on the horizon, public health officials are collaborating with school nurses and daycare providers to monitor potential cases closely. “It only takes one person going on vacation and being exposed to bring measles back to our community,” Wells cautioned.

“The key takeaway is that we must continue to increase our vaccination rates within our communities to curb the spread here effectively,” Wells stated.

She strongly encouraged individuals who have not yet received their vaccinations to take action and receive them. Individuals who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine during childhood typically do not require revaccination unless advised to do so by a healthcare professional.