Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

Nearly two decades ago, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) declared that measles was "eliminated" from the United States. Fast forward to 2019 and measles is making a comeback. So far this year there are 704 cases in 22 states. It's the highest number of cases in 25 years. Much of this has to do with the anti-vax movement comprised of parents refusing to vaccinate their children against measles and other deadly diseases. Measles is highly contagious and it’s deadly. But measles outbreaks are growing worldwide. The country of Madagascar is fighting a deadly a measles outbreak that's infected 70,000 people and killed more than 1,000. Measles isn't a game. And refusing to vaccinate is like playing Russian roulette. Just as parents wouldn't let their toddler play with a loaded gun, they shouldn't expose them to the public without vaccination.