Texas Parents Reject Vaccination After Daughter’s Measles Death

GAINES COUNTY, Texas — The parents of a six-year-old girl who died from measles have publicly declared their refusal to vaccinate their children, even after experiencing the illness’s tragic consequences firsthand.

In a recent interview with Children’s Health Defense (CHD), the couple, members of a Mennonite community, expressed their belief that measles is not as dangerous as portrayed in the media. Their daughter passed away on February 26 after a prolonged struggle with the disease, but they remain resolute against vaccination.

“We would absolutely not take the MMR,” the mother asserted, referring to the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine typically administered to children before they enter school. The parents believe that their daughter’s death was inevitable and claim that she is now in a better place.

“It was her time on Earth,” the translator for the parents conveyed during the interview. They described their belief that their child’s death was a part of life and felt that they have received sufficient support in caring for their other children, who also contracted measles.

After her death, the couple’s surviving children were treated with untested holistic remedies from a local clinic. They reported milder cases of measles and recovery attributed to those treatments. “Dr. Ben came helping us, and he gave them treatments, or like medicine,” the mother said.

Covenant Children’s Hospital, which treated the deceased girl, issued a statement addressing the misinformation circulating from the parents’ interview. The hospital affirmed its use of evidence-based protocols and emphasized the serious nature of measles.

“Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications,” the hospital stated. It highlighted that there is no antiviral treatment for the virus, emphasizing the necessity for vaccination as the primary defense.

As of recent reports, the ongoing measles outbreak in Gaines County has resulted in one confirmed death and an additional 222 cases, sparking concerns from public health officials about the risks of vaccination hesitancy in nearby Louisiana.

Dr. Kali Broussard, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, warned against the dangers of “measles parties,” where parents intentionally expose their children to the virus to develop immunity. She reminded parents of the severe health risks associated with such actions.

“You may not kill that kid immediately, but 10 years later, they may then die from the measles,” Broussard cautioned, urging parents to consider vaccination to protect not only their children but also others in the community.

Public health experts continue to underscore that the MMR vaccine is a safe and effective method of preventing measles and its complications, which can include pneumonia and even brain swelling.

During this outbreak, health officials are closely monitoring trends and providing vaccinations to at-risk populations to prevent further spread. The CDC reiterated that vaccination remains the most effective method to prevent measles infection, particularly during outbreaks.