Vaccination exemptions, particularly religious exemptions, have risen since the COVID era, contributing to lower vaccination coverage in Spartanburg County and across many U.S. counties.

Advocacy groups and health officials continue to work on rebuilding trust, countering misinformation, and boosting vaccination uptake.

Public health officials emphasize vaccination as the best way to prevent measles and stop the outbreak, noting vaccines are available through primary care, pharmacies, and DPH health departments.

State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell says there is cautious optimism spring break won’t trigger a new surge, while stressing ongoing prevention efforts.

Personal stories show the impact of vaccine hesitancy, including families reconsidering vaccination after exposure and advocates promoting science-based information.

Earlier modeling suggested the outbreak could last six months or longer, but current trends indicate it may end sooner.

Officials caution that the outbreak could persist for weeks or months due to lagging vaccine uptake.

The analysis notes ongoing vaccination efforts as the Upstate region continues to experience measles activity.

Health officials are cautiously optimistic the outbreak may be winding down due to a continued decline in new cases.

Public health officials provide a measles outbreak webpage with the latest information for the public.

South Carolina reports three new measles cases on March 13, bringing the outbreak total to 996 cases, with 934 linked to Spartanburg County.

Currently, 42 people are in quarantine and two are in isolation, with the latest quarantine period ending on April 2.