Most Americans support the MMR vaccine as measles surges and misconceptions rise

Most Americans support the MMR vaccine as measles surges and misconceptions rise

As measles outbreaks rise to their highest levels in decades, new poll data shows both strong support for the MMR vaccine and growing confusion about vaccine risks and disease complications.

ANew surveyhighlighted differing opinions on MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination among U.S. citizens. These opinions are based on a lack of information about the risks of these diseases and the fact that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.

The University of Pennsylvania Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) conducted the Annenberg Science and Public Health (ASAPH) survey April 15-28, 2025 to understand the current status of measles and MMR vaccine outbreak awareness among general adults.

Measles cases in the USA and a preventative strategy

Most Americans (58%) correctly believe that measles cases are higher this year than recently, but 27% admit they are not sure, indicating confusing confusion about the severity of the outbreak despite widespread media coverage.

As of May 8, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had confirmed over a thousand cases of measles and three deaths from this highly contagious viral infection in the United States. Because many cases go unreported, these estimates could be considered understatement.

A sudden increase in measles cases in the United States, the second highest number of cases since 2000, is considered alarming due to the announcement of its elimination from that country. Therefore, this current spike in measles cases could be due to a viral strain originating outside the country.

According to the CDC, two doses of the measles vaccine can effectively prevent 97% of measles infections in those vaccinated and those exposed to it. Children receive the two doses of MMR vaccine at different times; The first dose will be given to recipients between 12 and 15 months and the second dose between 4 and 6 years.

About the survey

The current ASAPH survey analyzed the most recent data from April 15-28, 2025 in relation to previous results. This survey is based on interviews conducted via web and telephone among a nationally representative probability sample by SSRS, an independent research firm.

The ASAPH survey included 1,653 U.S. adults. In some respondents, it revealed a major gap regarding measles, particularly the importance of MMR vaccination in children, transmission routes and other relevant data.

Survey results

Public uncertainty peaks for liver oil: Nearly half (48%) don't know whether daily doses improve health, while equal shares think it helps (16%) or harms (15%), reflecting debates about unproven supplement trends.

About 83% of Americans said they were not worried (45% not at all, 38% not too worried) about contracting measles in the next three months. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and Survey, stated that “measles cases in 31 states and vaccination rates have fallen.

In the current survey, around 83% of US adults believed that the benefits of the MMR vaccine for children outweigh the risks. However, this number has decreased slightly from 89% in August 2023. Additionally, 81% said medical professionals recommend that those who can be vaccinated safely take the MMR vaccine, even if their risk of exposure is low. The following are the key highlights of the survey.

Measles symptoms and transmission

About 50% of Americans expressed uncertainty about how complications from measles occur. According to the CDC, 13% of people infected with measles in 2025 required hospital care (a rate estimated by only 13% of respondents), and 1 in 10 people developed diarrhea (with only 4% accurately estimating this rate).

The majority of Americans know that measles can spread by touching a contaminated surface (66%) or by coughing/sneezing (63%), but very few are aware of its incubation period. Only 14% of respondents knew that an infected person remained contagious for four days before developing a rash.

Mandatory school vaccinations

The majority of Americans support school vaccination requirements for the MMR vaccine for children due to the potential risk to others who do not get vaccinated. Support for mandates rose to 70% in 2025, up from 63% in 2023. However, 18% of participants said parents can decide, even if it creates risks for others. Interestingly, there is a significant decline among those who support parental choice by 22%, according to the 2023 survey report.

Hesitation about MMR vaccines

Although MMR is the most effective strategy for preventing measles, some parents are reluctant to vaccinate their children because of unfounded claims that this vaccine causes autism.

In the present survey, 67% of Americans knew that MMR vaccines do not cause autism. This number has decreased significantly from 74% in 2021. The share who believe the vaccine causes autism increased by 5 percentage points, from 9% in 2021 to 14% in 2025.

Measles during pregnancy

Only 15% are aware of the CDC advice against MMR vaccines during pregnancy, a critical gap as the CDC warns the live virus vaccine has theoretical risks to unborn babies despite its overall safety.

About 57% of survey participants said they were unsure of complications related to measles during pregnancy. Only 34% correctly identified delivering a low birth weight baby and 34% identified early delivery as a complication. Untreated pregnant women who receive measles can lead to serious complications, including the spread of low birth weight babies and premature birth. Compared to previous surveys, more respondents cited death as a possible complication, while a small number noted diabetes (7%) and blurred vision (11%) as possible consequences.

For unvaccinated women, the CDC recommends getting the measles vaccine every month or more before someone becomes pregnant, but not during pregnancy. This information was known to 15% of respondents.

Non-action treatments for measles

During the 2025 measles outbreak, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said health experts became concerned that Kennedy's emphasis on vitamin A could potentially be mishandled as the endorsement as a preventive measure.

Infectious disease experts emphasize that vitamin A cannot prevent measles infections. Only 9% of respondents incorrectly believed that vitamin A protected against measles, while 4% believed liver oil. Doctors treated measles infections in several Texas children who were unvaccinated and showed signs of liver damage from high levels of vitamin A exposure.

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