LANSING, Mich. — Health officials in Michigan are sounding the alarm as the state faces its first measles outbreak since 2019, with nine confirmed cases to date. The outbreak, centered in Montcalm County, has raised concerns about the decline in childhood vaccination rates, with experts warning of the increasing risk posed by vaccine-preventable diseases.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reports that the state’s vaccination rate for the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine has dropped significantly in recent years. As of March 2025, only 79% of children ages 19 to 35 months have received the MMR vaccine, a notable decrease from 85% in March 2020. Experts say that in order to protect communities from outbreaks like this, at least 95% of children need to be vaccinated.
“We’re really here to sound the alarm because we are seeing some real consequences from declining childhood vaccination rates,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan.
The outbreak in Montcalm County was the catalyst for the rise in cases, and now Ingham County has confirmed its second case of measles. Other counties, including Jackson and Eaton, are also reporting concerningly low vaccination rates. Ingham County’s MMR vaccination rate stands at only 83%, while Jackson County reports around 80%, and Eaton County has the lowest at 79%.
The consequences of these declining vaccination rates are already being felt. Dr. Bagdasarian emphasized the severity of the situation, calling measles “the most transmissible disease that we deal with in modern medicine.”
Measles, once considered a disease of the past in the United States, is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in communities with low vaccination coverage. Dr. Ryan Malosh, Director of the Division of Immunizations for the MDHHS, pointed out that measles is more contagious than both the flu and COVID-19. “If a case of measles is exposed to a group of folks that are completely unvaccinated, on average that one case will lead to about 12 to 18 additional cases,” he said. “With the flu, that number is about 1 1/2 to 2 additional cases.”
Health officials are urging Michiganders to remain vigilant and take action, particularly those who may have visited locations where exposure to measles may have occurred. These sites include the Lansing Urgent Care Frandor location on the evening of April 15, Aldi in Okemos, the Okemos Farmer’s Market, and the MSU Community Music School. Measles can remain airborne in fine particles for up to two hours, increasing the chances of transmission in public spaces.
For those who may have been exposed, experts recommend monitoring for symptoms, which include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash that often starts on the face and spreads downward.
Veronica Valentine McNally, President of the Franny Strong Foundation and Founder of the I Vaccinate Campaign, stressed the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. “Vaccine-preventable diseases are a threat. Make no mistake about that,” she said.
As the outbreak continues to unfold, health officials are calling on all eligible individuals to ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations, particularly the MMR vaccine. With continued efforts to raise awareness and increase vaccination rates, Michigan aims to prevent further spread and protect its communities from the dangers of measles.
For more information on measles and vaccination resources, residents are encouraged to visit the MDHHS website.
