April 17, 2025
There have now been more than 700 cases of measles reported in the U.S. in 2025, and two children have died. The vast majority of these cases are in Texas. Only nine cases have been reported in California. But measles vaccination rates are going down in California schools. In some schools, particularly charter schools, the rates are lower than 95%, which is considered “herd immunity.” Why does this matter? What can be done?
Guests:
- Dr. Monica Gandhi, Professor of medicine and infectious disease doctor, UC San Francisco
- Karen D’Souza, Reporter, EdSource
- Daniel J. Willis, Data reporter, EdSource
Read more from EdSource:
- Amid deadly measles outbreak, California’s childhood vaccination rates are falling
- California school vaccinations database
- Map: MMR and full vaccination rates in California kindergartners
Education Beat is a weekly podcast, hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.
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