Experts warned that the U.S. measles resurgence exposed weaknesses in public-health defenses
The U.S. measles resurgence is exposing weaknesses in public-health defenses, including declining vaccination rates, eroding trust in health institutions and difficulties persuading people to protect their communities, experts say. But one expert who works extensively on bioterrorism cautioned that the trend does not show whether Americans would refuse vaccines or antibiotics in a biological emergency, where countermeasures may differ.
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Experts say the U.S. measles resurgence exposes weaknesses in the country’s public-health defenses, as declining vaccination rates and eroding trust make it harder to persuade people to protect themselves, their children and their communities.
Steph Batalis, a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, argued in an April 2025 op-ed that the outbreak exposed a broader vulnerability in the U.S. biodefense strategy and its ability to deter biological attacks.
An expert who works extensively on bioterrorism cautioned that low MMR immunization rates do not necessarily mean Americans would refuse a vaccine or antibiotic in a biological emergency. Countermeasures may differ from routine shots, and a severe outbreak could prompt people to seek protection. Measles alone does not establish whether the U.S. could withstand novel threats.
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Verifier’s note
CNBC reports that the measles resurgence exposes weaknesses in U.S. public-health defenses, consistent with the proposed claim. The Wiley result concerns a separate study and does not report this event.