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South Carolina is seeing a sharp rise in measles vaccinations after the state became the center of the largest U.S. outbreak in more than 20 years. While the increase signals growing awareness, public health officials say it still may not be enough to prevent further spread of one of the world’s most contagious viruses.

The situation highlights how vaccine hesitancy, intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to leave communities exposed to preventable diseases with serious public health consequences.

A County at the Center of the Outbreak

Spartanburg County, located near the North Carolina border, has emerged as the epicenter of the current measles outbreak. In response, the number of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine doses administered there has more than doubled in recent months.

State health data show that MMR vaccinations in Spartanburg County jumped by 102% over the past four months compared with the same period last year. January alone accounted for more than 1,000 additional doses.

Across South Carolina, the rise has been more modest but still notable, with MMR vaccinations increasing by 28% during the same timeframe.

“These monthly totals are some of the highest we’ve seen in years,” said Dr. Linda Bell, South Carolina’s state epidemiologist, in comments shared with Reuters.

Early Protection for the Youngest Children

A significant portion of the recent vaccination surge has come from parents seeking earlier protection for infants. Normally, the first MMR dose is given at 12 months of age, but doctors have increasingly administered early doses to babies between six and 11 months old in response to the outbreak.

Dr. Bell said 1,178 early MMR doses were administered statewide to infants in that age group. More than half of those shots were given in Spartanburg County and neighboring Greenville County.

“These early doses are essential to protecting young children from measles,” Bell noted.

While early vaccination does not replace the standard two-dose schedule, it offers temporary protection during periods of heightened risk.

Vaccination Gaps Still Remain

Despite the encouraging uptick, health officials remain concerned about vaccination gaps in the community. Bell estimated that several thousand children and adults in Spartanburg County are still unvaccinated against measles.

This matters because measles is among the most infectious diseases known. Public health experts say at least 95% of a population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity and stop sustained transmission.

In Spartanburg County, only 89% of school-aged children have received the required vaccinations, according to state data. That shortfall creates openings for the virus to spread, particularly in schools, childcare centers, and crowded public spaces.

Doctors See Mixed Motivations

Pediatricians in the region report that the rise in vaccinations reflects a mix of concerns and circumstances rather than a single shift in attitude.

Some parents are opting to move up the second MMR dose, which is typically administered at age four. After two doses, the vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles.

Others are catching up on routine childhood immunizations that were delayed or skipped before the outbreak began. There has also been an increase in post-exposure vaccinations, which can exempt individuals from quarantine if administered within 72 hours of exposure.

Louis Eubank, deputy incident commander for South Carolina’s measles response, said mobile health units have largely focused on vaccinating adults. In contrast, clinics and pharmacies have seen most of their increases among children under four.

Hesitancy Remains a Major Barrier

While some parents are responding to the growing number of cases, persuading those who are broadly opposed to vaccines remains a challenge.

Pediatricians say deeply entrenched vaccine skepticism has not disappeared, even as the outbreak expands. Outreach efforts, public messaging, and mobile clinics have helped improve access, but they have not fully overcome resistance rooted in distrust or misinformation.

Dr. Stuart Simko, a pediatrician with Prisma Health in Greer, South Carolina, said the visible escalation of cases has started to change some minds.

“We are getting people who weren’t vaccinated calling,” Simko told Reuters. “I think we’ve reached that level of, ‘Oh wow, this is more than just a smolder. This is starting to catch fire.’”

He added that fear of everyday exposure is becoming more real for families. “People are realizing you can go to Walmart and be exposed,” he said.

Broader Implications Beyond South Carolina

The outbreak reflects a national trend that public health experts have been warning about for years. Declining vaccination rates, fueled by pandemic-era disruptions and misinformation, have weakened community defenses against diseases once considered largely eliminated in the U.S.

Measles outbreaks have been reported in multiple states, raising concerns that the virus could regain a foothold if vaccination coverage does not rebound quickly and consistently.

Health officials stress that measles is not a mild childhood illness. It can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and death, particularly in young children and immunocompromised individuals.

What Comes Next

South Carolina health authorities say their immediate focus remains on increasing vaccination coverage, especially in under-immunized communities. Mobile clinics, pharmacy partnerships, and public awareness campaigns are expected to continue in the coming months.

Experts caution that progress will be measured not by short-term spikes in vaccinations, but by whether communities can sustain high coverage levels once the immediate fear of an outbreak subsides.

Without that long-term commitment, officials warn, measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases are likely to keep returning.

A Narrow Window to Act

The surge in measles vaccinations in Spartanburg County offers a hopeful sign that awareness can drive action. But with herd immunity still out of reach, health experts say the window to contain the outbreak remains narrow.

Whether South Carolina can turn this moment into lasting protection may determine not only the course of the current outbreak, but how prepared the state and the nation will be for the next one.

(With inputs from Reuters.)

 

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