Brad Burt

Hi, Steve. Thanks for having me.

Hi, Steve. Thanks for having me.

So I was in Gaines County last week where a little less than half of all the measles cases in the country have been confirmed, 393 to be exact. What I saw was children playing out at a park in Seminole there, people coming in and out of a coffee shop on Main Street. But meanwhile, the MMR vaccine clinic set up by the South Plains Health District was empty.

So I was in Gaines County last week where a little less than half of all the measles cases in the country have been confirmed, 393 to be exact. What I saw was children playing out at a park in Seminole there, people coming in and out of a coffee shop on Main Street. But meanwhile, the MMR vaccine clinic set up by the South Plains Health District was empty.

Zach Holbrooks, director for the district, says vaccine hesitancy has remained an obstacle to ending that outbreak.

Zach Holbrooks, director for the district, says vaccine hesitancy has remained an obstacle to ending that outbreak.

At the beginning of the year, the vaccination rate for this county was 82%. The Centers for Disease Control says at least 95% vaccination rate is needed to prevent outbreaks.

At the beginning of the year, the vaccination rate for this county was 82%. The Centers for Disease Control says at least 95% vaccination rate is needed to prevent outbreaks.

Well, local health authorities set up a pop-up clinic in a building where livestock shows are normally held. And billboards and local TV ads encourage people to get vaccinated. There's messaging in English, Spanish, and actually low German for the local Mennonite community. And yet many here still don't trust vaccines.

Well, local health authorities set up a pop-up clinic in a building where livestock shows are normally held. And billboards and local TV ads encourage people to get vaccinated. There's messaging in English, Spanish, and actually low German for the local Mennonite community. And yet many here still don't trust vaccines.

Pediatrician Dr. Anna Montanez says some parents have chosen to forgo the vaccine for other unproven remedies like vitamin A.

Pediatrician Dr. Anna Montanez says some parents have chosen to forgo the vaccine for other unproven remedies like vitamin A.

Now, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously endorsed vitamin A as a treatment for measles. He has since stepped back from that and has said the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease.

Now, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously endorsed vitamin A as a treatment for measles. He has since stepped back from that and has said the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease.

Yeah, most of the cases in Texas are children. The two deaths so far in West Texas were children. You have to ask why that would be. Here's an intriguing number. About 18% of students in public schools in this county claim conscientious exemption to required vaccines, and that's provided by state law.

Yeah, most of the cases in Texas are children. The two deaths so far in West Texas were children. You have to ask why that would be. Here's an intriguing number. About 18% of students in public schools in this county claim conscientious exemption to required vaccines, and that's provided by state law.

Dr. Montanez insists that vaccination is the best prevention, but she says an ounce of protection is worth way more than a pound of cure. But she also says when she engages skeptics and answers their questions about alternative remedies like vitamin A, many have become more open to safer decisions. And when I was in Seminole, families continued to go about their daily lives.

Dr. Montanez insists that vaccination is the best prevention, but she says an ounce of protection is worth way more than a pound of cure. But she also says when she engages skeptics and answers their questions about alternative remedies like vitamin A, many have become more open to safer decisions. And when I was in Seminole, families continued to go about their daily lives.

Schools were open, businesses were open, and the virus continues to spread.

Schools were open, businesses were open, and the virus continues to spread.

Thanks for having me, Steve.

Thanks for having me, Steve.

Hi, Steve. Thanks for having me.

So I was in Gaines County last week where a little less than half of all the measles cases in the country have been confirmed, 393 to be exact. What I saw was children playing out at a park in Seminole there, people coming in and out of a coffee shop on Main Street. But meanwhile, the MMR vaccine clinic set up by the South Plains Health District was empty.

Zach Holbrooks, director for the district, says vaccine hesitancy has remained an obstacle to ending that outbreak.

At the beginning of the year, the vaccination rate for this county was 82%. The Centers for Disease Control says at least 95% vaccination rate is needed to prevent outbreaks.

Well, local health authorities set up a pop-up clinic in a building where livestock shows are normally held. And billboards and local TV ads encourage people to get vaccinated. There's messaging in English, Spanish, and actually low German for the local Mennonite community. And yet many here still don't trust vaccines.

Pediatrician Dr. Anna Montanez says some parents have chosen to forgo the vaccine for other unproven remedies like vitamin A.

Now, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously endorsed vitamin A as a treatment for measles. He has since stepped back from that and has said the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease.

Yeah, most of the cases in Texas are children. The two deaths so far in West Texas were children. You have to ask why that would be. Here's an intriguing number. About 18% of students in public schools in this county claim conscientious exemption to required vaccines, and that's provided by state law.

Dr. Montanez insists that vaccination is the best prevention, but she says an ounce of protection is worth way more than a pound of cure. But she also says when she engages skeptics and answers their questions about alternative remedies like vitamin A, many have become more open to safer decisions. And when I was in Seminole, families continued to go about their daily lives.

Schools were open, businesses were open, and the virus continues to spread.

Thanks for having me, Steve.