Dozens of free measles vaccine clinics close in Texas as federal funding is cut

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

April 1, 2025, 5:33 PM EDT


Steep federal funding cuts have forced public health officials in one of Texas’ most populous counties — Dallas — to cancel dozens of vaccination clinics and lay off 21 workers on the front lines of combatting the state’s growing measles outbreak.

“I just had to tell our commissioners this morning that we’ve had to cancel over 50 different clinics in our community,” said Dr. Philip Huang, director and health authority for the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department. Many of the clinics had been planned for schools in areas with low vaccination rates, he said.

The vaccines, which included measles, mumps and rubella shots, were meant to be given free to families.

The money being cut — $11.4 billion nationwide — was originally allocated to aid community health departments during the pandemic. Local public health officials have more recently been using the Covid funds for other public health initiatives, such as measles prevention, surveillance and testing.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/texas-measles-outbreak-dallas-vaccines-hhs-funding-cuts-rcna199144

[Skittles]

1. when will people figure it out

REPUKES DO NOT FUCKING CARE ABOUT THE NON-WEALTHY

[mgardener]

4. You can't fix stupid

So I am not hopeful.

[luvallpeeps]

2. They want us to die.

Can’t figure any other reason.

[LymphocyteLover]

6. in theory it could be pure stupidity, but I think deep down they are trying to cull us

[vapor2]

24. I have been saying this for at least the past few weeks

[hatrack]

3. Just what Croaky Whalehead wanted . . ..

Think of Texas as a really big Samoa.

[surfered]

5. Trump will handle measles just like he did Covid

[LymphocyteLover]

7. which is to say not handle and let it rip

[Buddyzbuddy]

8. Not voting was the same as voting for the Republican.

[Paladin]

11. +1000.

Like I've said before: I don't see how stay-at-home Democratic non-voters manage to get to sleep at night, given the damage to our democracy that the trump regime has accomplished in its first few weeks. Same goes for those minority-group voters who decided that supporting trump would be a really swell idea. The well-deserved guilt trips ought to get them all back in the voting booths, supporting Democratic candidates for the rest of their lives. By way of partial penance...

[travelingthrulife]

16. But women running for office...cooties!

I think this country is the best at hating.

[Paladin]

17. Like I said: They can do penance...

...but absolute forgivingness is out of the question.

[Bengus81]

19. And about 10% less women voted for Kamala as they did with Biden. WTF was that about?

Bet it's really FA FO time for them.....

[Buddyzbuddy]

31. I hope you're right.

[Ray Bruns]

9. Hey, just stock up on cod liver oil and leeches. You'll be fine.

[Hugin]

12. Rub some road kill on and walk it off.

Pray for more babies!!!

The stupidity is no longer what gets me, it’s the blatant contradictions.

[Wicked Blue]

14. Light bulbs and bleach too

[Lonestarblue]

10. I read something this morning about measles being able to erase immunity for other diseases..

The disease has the ability to wipe out prior immunizations so you might think you’re protected from whooping cough, for example, because you’ve been vaccinated but measles can erase that immunity. Parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated are setting them up for lifetime health risks.

“Measles is among the most contagious viruses known. A single case can cause dozens more in places where people are unvaccinated. Infants too young for vaccination, immune-compromised people and the elderly are all at risk. Measles isn’t just a fever and rash. It can cause pneumonia, brain inflammation, permanent disability and death. The virus can go dormant in the body only to re-emerge a decade or so after infection and cause rapid and fatal brain tissue deterioration.

It also has a more insidious legacy, one I helped discover. In 2015, I led a team that found that measles can erase the immune system’s protective memory of prior infections. This “immune amnesia,” as it’s called, leaves people vulnerable to viruses and bacteria they were once protected against. In a follow-up study in 2019, we found measles can wipe out up to 70 percent of an individual’s protective immune memory.

This means that people who get measles now may be at increased risk of infection by essentially all other pathogens that they would otherwise be well protected against. After measles, these individuals have to embark on a yearslong and risk-filled recovery of re-infections and exposures to build back up the protective shields they previously had.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/opinion/measles-epidemic-texas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8k4.VKVh.hlLYv7oqpLCX&smid=url-share

[Bengus81]

20. It's true in adults. It basically resets your immunity clock in you body

Nice..............

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

13. 💀

[vapor2]

26. With cutting health care funding and closing clinics etc I have no doubt

[Scalded Nun]

15. And with billions at their disposal, that fuckwad Abbott and his cronies

won't do a thing to keep these clinics open for the benefit of their citizens.

I have never been so glad that we got out of that shithole state.

[atreides1]

29. This is Federal money

Abbott the Wheelman and the rest of his hate group won't be getting any of it.

[Scalded Nun]

30. It is the fedral money being cut off.

My point is that they (Abbott, et al) will not use 'Texas' money to keep those clinics open for the benefit of their citizenry.

They have billions squirreled away, but only for the 'right' people to use.

[bluestarone]

18. Democrats will be blamed. I hope Texas Dems are shouting Shout loud and clear who caused this!!

Like i said before my hats off to ALL TEXAS DEMOCRATS!! Toughest state to be a Democrat!!

[Bengus81]

21. The time for thinking the general public "get's it" and knows who's screwing who

is long over. Those FOX brainwashed idiots know nothing that Waters and Hannity doesn't spoon feed them. Dems in Texas need to scream about this and DEMAND they be reopened day after day.

[bluestarone]

22. AGREE! but

I know Texas Democrats have their hands full. They WILL do what they can.

[Oopsie Daisy]

23. Watch it spread like wildfire! This will be interesting.

Red state MAGA and anti-vax parents may change their minds... or, their spawn will never reach voting age.

[Rebl2]

25. Guess they

want to kill a lot of children in TX

[HoldenTheDemocrat]

27. Reckless Cuts Threaten Public Health and Endanger Our Children

This news from Texas is absolutely devastating and frankly, completely unacceptable. The decision to slash federal funding for public health initiatives, leading to the closure of vital measles vaccination clinics, is a direct assault on the health and well-being of our communities, especially our children.

Dr. Huang's report of canceling over 50 clinics, particularly those targeting schools in areas with low vaccination rates, should set off alarm bells for everyone. We're talking about preventable diseases, diseases that were largely eradicated because of the success of vaccination programs. Now, due to these shortsighted cuts, we're seeing a resurgence.

Let's look at the facts: According to the CDC, measles is highly contagious, and even a small drop in vaccination rates can lead to significant outbreaks. Before the measles vaccine was widely available, millions of children contracted the disease, and thousands died each year in the U.S. Now, because of these cuts, we are seeing a resurgence of this disease.

Furthermore, the $11.4 billion cut nationwide, originally allocated for pandemic relief, was being used effectively to address other critical public health needs, including measles prevention. The Public Health Foundation reports that every dollar invested in public health saves an average of $87 in healthcare costs. This isn't just about saving lives; it's about smart fiscal policy.

The Democratic Party platform is clear: We believe in investing in public health, protecting our children, and ensuring access to affordable healthcare for all. These cuts fly in the face of those core principles.

These cuts are not just numbers on a page; they have real-world consequences. Laying off 21 frontline workers in Dallas County means fewer people available to combat this outbreak, educate families, and administer these life-saving vaccines. We need to demand that our elected officials prioritize public health and reverse these dangerous cuts. We cannot let ideology put our children’s lives at risk.

[lapfog_1]

28. this is one of those times

where I don't know what to feel.

Sometimes I feel FAFO and fuck people in Texas for being stupid morons

Then I feel sorry for the people stuck there that WANT vaccinations and now can't get them, and for the children of the people who are morons and don't want to get their children vaccinated.

I guess I will feel a little bit of both, selectively.

[Buddyzbuddy]

32. It just occurred to me, by crushing the Education Dept.

the ability of States may be restricted from enforcing mandatory inoculations prior to enrolling and attending class.
I've never seen a positive aspect of my bloodline ending until this administration. I have no child or grandchildren under 20 years of age and none of them plan on having children. I use to be sad about that thought, but no longer.