Truth and Trust: What a Local Team of Bassett Pediatricians Wants Parents and Caregivers to Know

The following column was published in The Daily Star on Saturday, August 8, 2026

Across the United States, measles cases are surging. So far this year, more than 2,300 cases have been diagnosed (compared to just 13 cases across the country in total in 2020).

On July 17, 2026, the New York State Department of Health published an alert after a case of measles was diagnosed in Chenango County. Days before, Montgomery County reported a wild measles-type virus detected in wastewater. We've hit a 35-year record for measles cases in 2026 - and it's not even mid-August.

Until recently, many of us in the field of pediatrics felt confident measles was behind us, no longer an unavoidable childhood illness. One in five children becomes hospitalized with measles. One in 20 will develop pneumonia. One in 1,000 get brain swelling (also known as encephalitis) that often causes permanent brain damage.

We live in a time when information is everywhere, accessible at our fingertips. A 24-hour news cycle and social media create a churning mill of content that can be confusing and contradictory. If you find yourself reading posts, memes, and articles or watching reels online about health topics that only confuse you more - please know that you are not alone. You are also not doing anything wrong. It is nearly impossible to wade through the digital whirlwind we are caught in and truly feel informed.

That's why knowing where to find the truth is more critical than ever. And when it comes to health topics, especially childhood vaccines, trusting your pediatrician or family care provider is the first step towards seeking information that will help you make informed decisions for your family.

Your Care Team Wants to Talk About It

Let us be clear - as pediatricians, we welcome conversation from parents and caregivers every day in our clinics. This makes for a productive appointment during our time together. Feeling unsure about care or treatments, including vaccinations, for your little one does not make you a bad parent or guardian. It means you are concerned about keeping your kids healthy and safe, and we are wholeheartedly on your team and support you.

Were you recently scrolling on your phone and found an article about the MMR (or measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine that gives you pause? Pull it up and show us. Are you finding information online about immunizing newborns against Hepatitis B and feeling funny about it as an expectant parent? Let's talk about it. Wondering about the importance of nourishing newborns with a shot of vitamin K after finding a video about it online? We want to explore this with you.

Trust Us as Your Partners in Health

You can count on us to tell you the truth. We promise to address your concerns, answer your questions, and provide recommendations to keep your family healthy based on facts, research, and years of medical practice and expertise. We offer a safe place, and we share your commitment to your child's health.

Your doctors, pediatricians, nurses, and caregivers have dedicated their careers to the health of our communities. We would never recommend a vaccine - or any medical intervention - that we wouldn't recommend for our own children or family members. If you have questions, we are ready to listen. We want to be your partners in truth and trust as you make the best health choices for your loved ones.

Interested in reading more from Bassett Healthcare Network's experts on health topics in the news? Follow our blog series, "Let's Talk About It," supported by the Cooperstown Rotary Club. Visit Bassett.org/LetsTalkAboutIt. If you don't have a pediatrician, Bassett has appointments available. Call 1-800-BASSETT (1-800-227-7388) to find someone near you.