CDC Blocks Measles Pregnancy Alert as U.S. Cases Hit 4,852
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 30
CDC Blocks Measles Pregnancy Alert as U.S. Cases Hit 4,852
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 30
Summary
CDC scientists sought an urgent clinician alert about measles in pregnancy about a month ago, but the Health Alert Network notice was not approved, delaying guidance as cases climb.
4,852 U.S. measles cases this year — a 35-year high — are exposing a gap few doctors have faced since elimination in 2000, with infection in pregnancy linked to pneumonia, miscarriage, prematurity and congenital measles.
Pennsylvania, the largest outbreak state, has logged nearly 1,400 cases and 77 infections in pregnant women since late April; it issued its own statewide pregnancy alert last week.
The guidance is now being prepared for CDC's MMWR, but officials are also weighing an outside journal because other vaccine-related CDC reports have been delayed and internal clearance could slow publication again.
The dispute lands amid broader political conflict over measles data under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while falling MMR coverage has pushed U.S. elimination status toward a Nov. 10-13 review.