A 14-year-old girl from North Dakota is currently recovering after suffering severe complications from measles, despite being fully vaccinated against the virus. Makayla Skjerva, who has an autoimmune disorder, faced significant health challenges following her exposure to measles at school.
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Makayla began showing symptoms on February 10, reporting neck pain. Her stepmother, Ashley, recounted that when they sought medical help three days later at a local emergency room, they were advised to manage her symptoms at home with over-the-counter treatments, given the recent measles exposure at her school. Unfortunately, her health significantly deteriorated, leading the family to return to a healthcare facility on February 19 when Makayla struggled to breathe.
Upon her arrival at the clinic, her oxygen levels were alarmingly low at just 62%. She was promptly transferred to a larger hospital, where she was diagnosed with a combination of measles, pneumonia, COVID-19, and a bacterial infection named Haemophilus influenzae, which is known to lead to serious respiratory illnesses.
Makayla’s case is particularly unusual due to her long-standing autoimmune encephalitis, a condition that causes the immune system to attack brain cells, rendering her more susceptible to infections. Although she had received the measles vaccine, her compromised immune system meant that it offered her little protection against the virus. “Makayla has had [the vaccine], but with a weak immune system, it doesn’t do anything,” explained Ashley.
Alarmingly, the family was told they had a limited window of time to transport Makayla to a specialist hospital in Minneapolis. “They had put her in a paralytic state to transfer her, and we had people come up and say their goodbyes,” Ashley recounted. Once at the hospital, Makayla was placed on life support as her family rallied to support her through this grave situation.
To assist with the mounting medical expenses and to allow family members to remain by her side, a GoFundMe campaign was created. Thankfully, by February 28, Makayla showed signs of improvement and was transferred to a facility nearer to her home, eventually being discharged on March 6.
Her recovery journey, however, remains challenging. “She had to use a walker, and she can take slow bites,” Ashley noted, highlighting the difficulties Makayla now faces in her daily life. Her time at school will be transitioned to virtual learning as she continues to recuperate. “Makayla is a fighter, but the fight’s not over,” Ashley stated, emphasising her daughter’s resilience in overcoming such a severe health crisis.
The rise in measles cases across the United States serves as a sobering backdrop to Makayla’s ordeal. Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown a sharp increase in measles cases, with 1,362 reported this year alone. In contrast, the year prior saw 2,281 confirmed cases, illustrating a worrying trend exacerbated by growing vaccine hesitancy.
Experts stress that vaccination is the most effective way to guard against measles, recommending two doses of the MMR vaccine for optimal protection. However, an increasing number of parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children, leading to troubling declines in herd immunity levels. Such decisions not only endanger unvaccinated children but also those like Makayla, who rely on community immunity for protection.
Ashley urged others to consider the implications of their vaccination choices, stating, “I understand that people have the right to vaccinate or choose not to, but please think about the fact that there are millions with autoimmune compromises. That one poke can save their lives and protect not only yourself and your children but others and their children as well.”
As the public grapples with the consequences of vaccination choices, Makayla’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential risks facing vulnerable individuals when herd immunity falters.