Vaccines

The data was included in a statewide report released on Friday. The cases are not thought to be connected to the measles outbreak in West Texas at this time.

Health experts say driving up vaccination rates in affected areas is the most effective defense against this disease.

Vaccine hesitancy was rising even before COVID-19 emerged – but the pandemic exacerbated the trend. More kindergartners are opting out of school vaccine requirements, and state lawmakers are trying to make it even easier to do so.

While the Austin area has confirmed a case of measles, there is not an outbreak. That said, here's a guide to how and when to get vaccinated for measles.

Austin ISD's measles immunization rate for its kindergarten class is lower than that of neighboring school districts.

The outbreak is primarily affecting West Texas, but officials in San Antonio, New Braunfels and San Marcos are monitoring cases after an infected person recently visited the area, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

COVID-19 activity has been high over the past month, but new vaccines and free testing options have also arrived.

Vaccines for a fall immunization drive against COVID-19 just got the green light from the Food and Drug Administration. The agency says the vaccines can protect people, as hospitalizations tick up.

The new vaccine is the latest in a series of preventive treatments for the virus that is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants.

The attacks against Hotez began after he criticized a podcast hosted by Joe Rogan and featuring Democratic presidential candidate and anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr.