Minnesota's Somali Community Faces Alarming Measles Surge: Are Autism Fears Making It Worse?

By  STEVE KARNOWSKIAssociated Press
Saturday February 7, 2026

Licensed practical nurse Marco Flores prepares a patient's measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at Children's Minnesota on Nov. 20, 2025, in Minneapolis. Devi Shastri/AP

Health officials in Minnesota are grappling with a measles outbreak that has particularly affected the state's large Somali community, where skepticism surrounding vaccines has been a persistent issue. Since February, 14 confirmed cases of measles have been reported in Minnesota, with half involving Somali children. Of these, six children were unvaccinated, while one was too young to receive the vaccine. The Minnesota Department of Health has traced nearly all cases back to an unvaccinated Somali infant who recently returned from Kenya.

Prior to this outbreak, Minnesota had reported either zero or one case of measles annually for over a decade. The sudden rise in cases has raised alarms, especially as parents in the Somali community express concerns that vaccines may be linked to autism—a fear largely stemming from a now-discredited study.

Andrew Wakefield, the British researcher whose 1998 paper falsely suggested a connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism, has been meeting with local Somali parents. Despite the overwhelming consensus in the medical community that vaccinations are safe, Wakefield's presence has stirred apprehension. "Unfortunately, a lot of the media thinks he’s saying ‘Don’t get vaccinated.’ That’s far from the truth," said Wayne Rohde, co-founder of the Vaccine Safety Council of Minnesota. "He’s basically encouraging people to get vaccinated but do your homework and know the risks."

The implications of the measles outbreak are particularly significant given that the disease was thought to be nearly eradicated in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is responsible for approximately 200,000 deaths worldwide each year. In Minnesota, while there have been no fatalities from the recent outbreak, eight individuals have required hospitalization.

This current situation comes as autism diagnoses appear to be increasing within Minnesota's Somali community, the largest in the U.S. However, officials have yet to confirm whether there is indeed a rise in autism cases. A 2009 study from the Minnesota Department of Public Health found that young Somali children in Minneapolis public schools were disproportionately represented in autism programs but cautioned that this alone did not confirm a higher prevalence of autism.

Critics of the health response argue that efforts to investigate the potential autism link have been slow. Idil Abdull, a co-founder of the Somali American Autism Foundation, expressed frustration, stating that public officials need to intensify their research and resource allocations. "We need more active engagement," she asserted.

Amid these concerns, Somali parents have sought answers from Wakefield during recent visits, facilitated by local autism advocates. During these meetings, some parents expressed their ambivalence about the MMR vaccine, noting that while measles is a temporary illness, autism is permanent. Rohde pointed out that, although he does not claim the vaccine caused his son’s autism, he believes it was a contributing factor.

Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed, a Somali family practice physician in Minneapolis, has voiced strong opposition to Wakefield's influence, claiming he has instigated a global panic that has resulted in unnecessary deaths. "He’s using a vulnerable population here, mothers looking for answers," Mohamed said. "He’s providing a fake hope." Parents like Hodan Hassan have shared similar journeys, feeling misled by Wakefield before realizing the broader scientific consensus against his claims. Hassan, who initially stopped vaccinating her children after her daughter was diagnosed with autism, is now working to get her children fully vaccinated.

In an effort to combat the outbreak, Minnesota health officials are collaborating with Somali community leaders to promote vaccination. However, recent clinics have seen poor turnout. A recent vaccination event prepared 600 doses, yet only 20 children and four adults attended, with only three of those being Somali. "There is still a significant level of concern in the Somali community, and deservedly so," acknowledged Buddy Ferguson, a spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Public Health. He noted that scientists still do not fully understand the causes of autism. "What we can tell people is that numerous attempts have been made to test the idea scientifically that there’s a link between vaccines and autism using large, well-designed studies. They’ve never been able to find a link."