HONOLULU (KHON2) — Now that measles is in Hawaii, doctors are highly recommending everyone get vaccinated, or at least start the conversation with a trusted healthcare professional.
When it comes to getting vaccinated for measles or any medical concern, doctors said the first step should always be getting the best advice for you.
“Talk to a health professional. Talk to your doctor that you have a relationship with. Getting really good information and just opening lines of communication. I think that’s the most important thing,” explained Dr. Jannet Lee, JABSOM Pediatric Emergency Medicine.
Governor Josh Green M.D. announced that Hawaii had its first confirmed case of measles in 2025 — an unvaccinated child under the age of five.
He is urging everyone who can get vaccinated to do so and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy also recommends the same.
“I don’t think there was a change on the federal level. I think Secretary Kennedy is looking at the science and saying the best way of transmission in certain communities right now because there is a spread in certain jurisdictions across the country,” said Rep. Diamond Garcia (R), Minority Floor Leader.
There are more than 500 confirmed measles cases in Texas, the epicenter of the current measles outbreak.
Texas has a 94% vaccination rate, while Hawaii’s is 89%.
“If you had 10 people in a room and they were all not immune, nine of them would get measles. So it’s very, very contagious.” Dr. Lee added.
“This is a completely preventable disease, completely preventable,” said Lee. “And the vaccine has been around for, since the 70s. And the best way to prevent an outbreak is to get vaccinated if you’re not already vaccinated.”
“This whole conversation should not be are you pro-vax or anti-vax, it boils down to personal responsibility and then respecting peoples personal decisions,” said Garcia.
Health professionals said having an outbreak in an island state would take up rooms in hospitals and put a strain on our already limited resources.
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“Also what I would worry about is, it’s so contagious I would worry about people being in the waiting room with other people who have perhaps maybe not strong enough immune systems for whatever reason, putting people at risk,” said Lee.
“I definitely don’t support a vaccination mandate. I think all vaccines should be a choice,” Rep. Garcia continued. “They should be recommended. Per Secretary Kennedy, the best way to prevent transmission is the measles vaccine and it is recommended.”