MMR Vaccine Hesitancy Tied to Right-Leaning Media as Measles Outbreak Continues

New research published in the journal Vaccine found that MMR vaccine hesitancy in the US is associated with engagement with certain ‘new’ right-leaning media outlets and non-authoritative health information sources. The findings come as the country experiences its largest measles outbreak since 2000, with New Jersey confirming its first measles case of the year.

New Jersey health officials warned of possible measles exposure after confirming the state’s first case of the year in a Hudson County resident who recently traveled abroad. People who were at certain locations in mid-April may have been exposed: Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport between 5:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. April 14, and the pediatric emergency department at Hackensack University Medical Center between 11:15 p.m. April 17 and 3:15 a.m. April 18. Symptoms could show up as late as May 11, and anyone who may have been exposed and feels sick should call a doctor before seeking care in person.

Measles spreads easily through coughing and sneezing, and the virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Early signs include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, with a red rash that starts at the hairline usually appearing three to five days later. People can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears to four days after. As of April 16, the CDC had reported 1,748 confirmed cases in the US, and the 2025 outbreak has numbered over 2,000 cases, the largest since 2000. About 93% of cases occurred among non-vaccinated individuals or those with uncertain vaccination status.

Childhood vaccination declined after the COVID-19 pandemic, with vaccine hesitancy among the leading contributors. The study, based on an online survey of 2,970 American adults, found that about 17% thought MMR risks exceeded benefits. Characteristics linked to higher odds of hesitancy included age less than 44 years, lower education levels, and a politically independent stance — the only demographic factor significantly associated with higher odds after adjustment. Most adults use multiple digital media, and hesitant individuals reported higher engagement with non-mainstream news sources and less commonly used platforms such as podcasts, generative AI, WhatsApp or Truth Social, and channels like Newsmax or Breitbart, with differences of 15% to 23%.

After adjusting for other differences, the odds of MMR hesitancy were doubled among those who sometimes or often engaged with Breitbart. In contrast, engagement with Huffington Post was associated with reduced vaccine hesitancy, as was rarely consuming the New York Times or ESPN. No significant associations were observed for several other mainstream or right-leaning outlets, highlighting that effects were outlet-specific rather than uniform across political categories.

People who looked for health information outside the mainstream healthcare system were also more likely to be hesitant. Use of alternative health newsletters was associated with about 40% higher odds of hesitancy, compared with 70% higher odds if alternative health practitioners were sometimes or often used. The odds were up to 44% lower among those who sometimes or often went to physicians for health information, and very low among those who used professional medical organizations.

Officials say the MMR vaccine is the best protection, with two doses recommended: one at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years old. The researchers noted that the cross-sectional study does not establish causality, which requires longitudinal research.