An outbreak of measles has been reported among the Mennonite population in West Texas, a group that is part of an extensive network of globally dispersed churches with diverse beliefs and governance structures. Relations with health authorities and other governmental entities can sometimes be challenging or distant within this community.
The Mennonite community is embedded within the broader Anabaptist tradition, which arose in 1525 as part of the radical wing of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. Alongside other Anabaptist branches like the Amish, Brethren, and Hutterites, they advocate for a church founded on principles such as pacifism, absolute forgiveness, baptism of adults, church oversight, and the refusal to bear arms or take oaths.
Historical persecution by both Catholic and Protestant rulers embedded a wariness of governmental oversight within certain Anabaptist groups, which continues to impact some Mennonites’ interactions with public health authorities today.
Named after an early leader, Menno Simons, Mennonites today engage in a spectrum of practices. While some have integrated into the predominant culture, emphasizing social justice and peace, others embrace traditional setups, akin to the Amish, which include restrained technology use, patriarchal leadership, and conventional attire. A substantial number of Mennonites sit somewhere between these two ends of the spectrum. According to the Mennonite World Conference, there are more than two million baptized believers connected to Anabaptist-related churches across 86 countries.
The present measles outbreak is significantly impacting Gaines County and surrounding areas. The specific Mennonite communities involved are not clearly identified; however, Gaines County does host a distinctive group. Many Amish and Mennonite communities in North America owe their lineage to Western European immigrants of the 18th and 19th centuries. But, the Seminole region features a community of Old Colony Mennonites with a complex migration tale. They initially moved to the Russian Empire, then Canada, and later to Mexico, constantly seeking refuge from pressures to assimilate, according to Steven Nolt, a historian and Anabaptist Studies professor at Elizabethtown College. As economic challenges emerged in Mexico, many migrated to Gaines County and other locations in Texas and adjacent states during the 1980s and 1990s, maintaining their Low German dialect and distinct cultural characteristics.
Gaines County records one of the highest percentages of schoolchildren in Texas not receiving at least one necessary vaccine, with nearly 14% of such children missing a required dose in the last academic year.
In terms of immunization stance, historically, the Mennonite faith has not advocated against vaccinations. There is no religious prohibition nor substantial theological discourse on the topic. However, more conservative Mennonite and Amish groups are often either under-immunized or only partially immunized. This trend can be attributed to less frequent interactions with healthcare systems as compared to more assimilated groups, according to Nolt. Traditional Anabaptist sects accepted many mid-20th century vaccines, like those for tetanus and smallpox, but have shown skepticism towards newer vaccines. The Old Colony Mennonites who arrived later missed the intensive mid-20th century vaccination campaigns in the U.S.
In terms of legislation, all U.S. states and the District of Columbia mandate student vaccinations for school attendance, with exemptions available for medical reasons in all jurisdictions. Most states also allow for religious or personal exemptions, though five states — California, Connecticut, Maine, New York, and West Virginia — do not permit non-medical exemptions. However, steps are being taken in West Virginia to reintroduce allowances for religious or philosophical exemptions.
Texas law permits exemptions based on “reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs.” In 2023, vaccination rates for U.S. kindergarteners fell, while exemption rates rose to unprecedented levels.
