Washington, Feb 9 (NationPress) Former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, expressed concern that the rising measles outbreak in the United States is part of a larger global phenomenon influenced by decreasing vaccination rates and an expanding anti-vaccine movement that extends beyond American borders.

“Regrettably, I think this situation will worsen before it improves,” Gottlieb stated on CBS’ Face the Nation, indicating a consistent increase in cases this year, coinciding with what he referred to as a decline in childhood immunization rates.

To date, approximately 750 cases of measles have been reported in the United States this year, according to Gottlieb, who anticipates a significant increase in this figure by the end of the year. The previous year saw around 2,000 reported cases.

“We are entering a prolonged cycle,” he noted, emphasizing that most new infections are occurring in children aged five to 17, rather than in toddlers. “We’re observing a drop in vaccination rates among toddlers, which aligns with a broader trend away from pediatric vaccinations in our country.”

As unvaccinated toddlers transition into school settings, Gottlieb cautioned that outbreaks are expected to escalate. “As these toddlers grow into school-age children, the scale of the measles outbreaks will likely continue to rise in this nation,” he remarked.

He compared the current situation to earlier periods of declining immunization rates. In the early 1990s, for instance, measles cases surged when vaccination rates fell. “In 1991, there were approximately 25,000 cases of measles,” he recalled. “In 1992, we witnessed around 10,000 cases.”

Presently, national vaccination rates for measles, mumps, and rubella are around 90 percent, Gottlieb noted, but some states experiencing outbreaks report significantly lower numbers. “In certain states with outbreaks, vaccination rates plummet as low as 81 percent in Alaska, and 88 percent in various other states currently facing outbreaks,” he stated.

Host Margaret Brennan highlighted that this issue is not limited to the United States. “Countries like Britain, Canada, Spain, and several European and Central Asian nations have lost their measles elimination status,” she pointed out, indicating a reflection of a global anti-vaccine movement.

Gottlieb concurred. “Yes, I believe that’s accurate,” he said, asserting that the Covid-19 pandemic significantly contributed to rising vaccine skepticism worldwide. “People were compelled to receive vaccines they were hesitant about due to state mandates,” he remarked. “This has led to a backlash against vaccinations, which we are currently witnessing.”

He warned that the repercussions extend beyond measles. “It’s not merely about MMR,” he noted. “Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are also concerns.” He pointed to increasing whooping cough outbreaks in the United States and indicated that similar trends are appearing globally.

Measles remains particularly perilous due to its high transmissibility. “The herd immunity threshold is approximately 95 percent vaccination within a community,” Gottlieb stated. “In certain areas of this country, we fall well below that.”

Brennan observed that some communities have vaccination rates nearing 70 percent, a level that Gottlieb indicated makes outbreaks nearly unavoidable.

Gottlieb also disputed claims that childhood infections are harmless, sharing his medical background to underline long-term risks. “Viruses can have lasting effects,” he asserted, linking infections to conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic diseases.