Buncombe County's Shocking Vaccine Rates: Are Your Kids at Risk for Measles? Find Out Now!

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Buncombe County is facing a potential health crisis as its measles vaccination exemption rate exceeds the state average, raising concerns among health officials about the risk of an outbreak. According to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), Buncombe County has reported three cases of measles confined to one family. However, these isolated incidents have highlighted a troubling trend regarding vaccination rates in the area.

Currently, there are no individuals in quarantine due to measles in Buncombe County. Dr. Ellis Matheson, the Public Health Director for Buncombe County, emphasized the importance of vaccination during a press conference on January 13. She stated, "A 95% vaccination rate offers a community sufficient protection from community spread." Alarmingly, vaccination coverage in the county's elementary schools is estimated at about 90%. Even more concerning is that approximately 87% of students attend schools where vaccination rates are below 95%. This discrepancy poses a significant threat to community health.

Dr. Matheson likened areas with low vaccination rates to "tinder" that could ignite a larger outbreak, similar to what has been observed in South Carolina's Upstate region. The NC DHHS has created a dashboard that allows parents to check measles vaccination rates at their child's school, offering transparency and a tool for informed decision-making regarding vaccinations.

The dashboard reflects annual reporting from North Carolina schools on the vaccination status of children starting kindergarten. However, there are often delays or gaps in this reporting, which can skew the data. According to the NC DHHS, "Data is not routinely available for elementary students beyond 30 days of kindergarten enrollment."

In addition to Buncombe County, health officials in neighboring Transylvania County are monitoring one child with measles, while another case has been reported in Polk County. In contrast, Swain, McDowell, and Yancey counties in western North Carolina have managed to maintain vaccination rates at or above 95%. Most counties in the region, however, hover in the low 90s, raising alarms among public health officials.

The situation in Buncombe County serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in public health—especially as vaccine hesitancy continues to pose risks to community immunity. As health officials work to improve vaccination rates and prevent further cases, the importance of education and accessibility in immunization programs cannot be overstated. The struggle against measles is not just about managing current cases; it's about fostering a culture of vaccination to protect future generations.