SC measles outbreak could soon reach Charlotte, health director warns
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Measles outbreak in South Carolina risks spread to Charlotte; officials warn.
- Measles spreads airborne; infected people transmit four days before rash.
- Mecklenburg MMR coverage at 90-91% falls below 95% herd immunity threshold.
A growing measles outbreak in South Carolina could make its way to Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington warned.
South Carolina has reported more than 130 confirmed measles cases and hundreds of people quarantined in Spartanburg and surrounding counties, part of a broader surge that has pushed U.S. cases to their highest level in decades, Axios reported.
“Measles, like other communicable diseases, does not respect geographic or social boundaries,” Washington told The Charlotte Observer in an email. “It is a very contagious disease that spreads through the air when someone who has measles talks, coughs or sneezes.”
Health experts in other parts of the state have also warned of possible outbreaks.
“[Measles] will most likely show up here eventually. It is a matter of time,” Dr. David Wohl, an infectious disease expert at UNC Health, previously told The News & Observer.
Are vaccination rates in Mecklenburg County high enough to prevent an outbreak? Do you need a second round of vaccines? Where can you get the measles vaccine in Charlotte?
Here’s what you need to know.
Measles symptoms
According to Washington, symptoms of measles include:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Rash
- Red eyes
People with measles can spread the virus from four days before a rash appears to four days after, Washington said.
The disease can cause serious health problems, especially in children under 5, and anyone who has symptoms or suspects measles should call a health care provider before going in to avoid exposing others, he advised.
Mecklenburg County measles vaccine rates
To keep a community safe from measles, at least 95% of people need to be vaccinated, Washington said, noting that “one person infected with measles can lead to a dozen other people becoming infected in a community where less than 95% of the people have been vaccinated against measles.”
However, Mecklenburg County falls just short of that figure, with 91% of children in grades K-5 up-to-date on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to Washington.
The overall vaccination rate for kindergarten students in Mecklenburg County is even lower, at 90.5%, the Observer reported.
Are vaccination rates high enough to prevent an outbreak?
Not likely, Wohl previously told the Observer.
While the state’s overall vaccination rate is relatively high, coverage varies widely by community, Wohl said, and those gaps matter. He noted that measles is far less likely to spread when about 95% of people are vaccinated, but even small drops into the low 90s can significantly increase risk.
In areas where MMR rates fall into the 80% range, he said, a single case can quickly ignite an outbreak, calling it “a forest fire waiting to happen.”
How effective is the measles vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is the best line of defense against the virus, Wohl said.
Mecklenburg County Public Health encourages residents to stay up-to-date on the MMR vaccine, Washington said, adding that two doses of the vaccine prevent disease in 97% of people.
Who should get the measles vaccine?
Most children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at 12-15 months and another at 4-6 years, while adults who are unvaccinated or unsure of their status should check with a health care provider, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
People born before 1957 are generally considered immune, though an additional dose is safe, Wohl said.
The vaccine is not recommended for infants under 1 year old or for people who are severely immunocompromised, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.
Should you get a second round of vaccines?
It depends. For most people, one round of the MMR vaccine (either one or two doses) will provide sufficient protection against measles, Wohl said.
However, those who work in certain settings with at-risk groups, such as healthcare workers and teachers, should consider getting a second round of vaccines.
“If I was working in a high school or grade school, I would make sure I had two MMRs,” said Wohl.
Where to get the measles vaccine in Charlotte
You can visit any of the following places for MMR vaccines in NC:
▪ Pharmacies: Walk in or schedule appointments at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. You can also inquire with local neighborhood pharmacies.
▪ Some grocery and big box stores with pharmacies: Walk in or schedule appointments at stores like Walmart, Target and Publix.
▪ Your healthcare provider: Of course, you can contact your doctor for an appointment.
This story was originally published December 16, 2025 at 4:33 PM.
