By Annette Pinder

As families enjoy summer activities and begin preparing for the new school year, health officials are urging parents to ensure their children are up to date on recommended vaccinations. The message is especially important this year, following the recent diagnosis of two children with measles in Erie County—a reminder that vaccine-preventable diseases continue to pose a threat to communities across Western New York.

For decades, vaccines have protected children from serious illnesses such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough (pertussis), and polio. Thanks to widespread immunization, many of these diseases became rare in the United States. However, declining vaccination rates in some areas have led to an increase in outbreaks of diseases that were once largely under control.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can remain airborne for up to 2 hours. Symptoms often begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes before a characteristic rash develops. While many people recover, measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, hospitalization, and, in rare cases, death.

According to the New York State Department of Health, these two local infections account for a portion of the 7 confirmed cases reported across Upstate New York so far in 2026. They also underscore how quickly infectious diseases can spread. Because people frequently travel between neighboring counties, public health officials across the region are urging families not to delay routine childhood immunizations.

Vaccination protects more than the individual child receiving the shot. It also helps protect infants too young to be vaccinated, people with weakened immune systems, and others who may be unable to receive certain vaccines for medical reasons. When vaccination rates are high, diseases have fewer opportunities to spread throughout a community.

Public health experts have become increasingly concerned about the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Measles outbreaks have occurred in several states in recent years, often linked to pockets of under-vaccination. Similar increases have been seen in whooping cough and other preventable illnesses.

Before vaccines were widely available, diseases such as measles and polio caused significant illness, disability, and death among children. Today, many parents have never seen these diseases firsthand, making it easy to forget how serious they can be.

Summer is an ideal time for parents to review their children’s immunization records and schedule any necessary appointments. Taking action now can help avoid the late-summer rush and ensure children meet school vaccination requirements before classes begin.

Vaccines remain among the safest and most effective tools for preventing serious disease. By keeping children up to date on recommended immunizations, parents can help protect their families and contribute to the health and safety of the entire community.