Measles remains one of the most contagious infectious diseases, and public health authorities warned that small declines in vaccination can spark outbreaks. As of 2026, California reported its highest annual measles case count in seven years, a context that motivated researchers to study knowledge and vaccination gaps among emergency department patients.
The study, led by the University of California, Riverside and published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, used survey data collected from April–December 2024 from 2,459 adult patients at ten U.S. emergency departments. It evaluated MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination status, understanding of measles and the vaccine, and willingness to receive vaccination.
Findings showed important deficits: many patients lacked accurate information, were unsure of their vaccination status, or reported not having the vaccine. The team also documented persistent vaccine hesitancy rooted in misconceptions about safety and necessity. Researchers linked these gaps to systemic disparities in race, language, insurance and access to primary care. They listed several barriers that limit information and access:
- limited literacy tools
- language differences
- insurance issues
- stigma
Authors emphasized that emergency departments can serve as important safety nets for underserved patients by screening, offering education and directing people to clinics and pharmacies for MMR vaccination. Additional contributors came from UC San Francisco, UCLA, Rush University Medical Center, Wayne State University, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Duke University School of Medicine.
Difficult words
- contagious — easily spread from one person to another
- vaccination — act of giving a vaccine to prevent disease
- hesitancy — doubt or reluctance to accept a medical intervention
- disparity — an unfair difference between groupsdisparities
- stigma — negative social attitude that harms people
- screening — process of checking people for a condition
- safety net — services that help people at risksafety nets
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could emergency departments improve vaccination knowledge and access for underserved patients, given the barriers listed in the article?
- What might be the public health consequences of small declines in vaccination rates, based on the article's opening statement?
- How do systemic disparities such as race, language and insurance affect patient access to vaccines and health information in your view?
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