Measles Outbreak in South Carolina Highlights Vaccine Misinformation Impact

The measles outbreak in Spartanburg, South Carolina, has highlighted the dangerous impact of vaccine misinformation, as health officials link the majority of cases to the Global Academy of South Carolina, a charter school with notably low vaccination rates.

Since early October, Spartanburg County has reported over 50 measles cases. The South Carolina Department of Public Health has been actively trying to mitigate the outbreak by encouraging vaccinations through mobile clinics, but uptake has been disappointingly low.

State epidemiologist Linda Bell noted that during a recent clinic in Boiling Springs, only one person showed up, emphasizing the need for better outreach and education. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported over 1,700 measles cases and 45 outbreaks in 2025, with fears that the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status for the first time in over two decades.

The low vaccination rates in Spartanburg, where 10% of students received exemptions from required vaccinations, have been linked to increased skepticism about vaccines, fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Chris Lombardozzi from the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System stated that this skepticism is partly a result of the pandemic, which has intensified fears about vaccines. He noted that the overall percentage of students with required immunizations fell from 95.1% to 90% between the 2020-21 and 2024-25 academic years, with a significant rise in religious exemptions.

In the Upstate region, the number of students granted religious exemptions has surged sixfold over the past decade, indicating a growing trend of vaccine hesitancy. The outbreak's initial cases were largely tied to the Global Academy, where only 17% of the 605 enrolled students provided proof of vaccination for measles.

Health freedom ideologies promoted by some political figures have further complicated public health messaging, causing hesitance among local leaders to address vaccine safety directly. Although public health campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic have been robust, the response to the measles outbreak has been notably more subdued, with fewer resources and less visibility in outreach efforts.

As of mid-November, over 130 individuals, primarily students, remained in quarantine, with additional cases linked to various local gatherings and travel. The community's vaccination efforts are critical as health officials warn that the risk of exposure increases during the holiday season.

This outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of misinformation on public health, emphasizing the urgent need for effective communication strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy and ensure community safety against preventable diseases.