Mennonite Church USA Addresses Measles Outbreak and Vaccination Stance

Duncan Smith, director of The Corinthian Plan, Mennonite Church USA’s healthcare plan for pastors and church workers, has addressed the recent measles outbreak and the denomination’s stance on vaccines and medical exemptions. Smith’s background includes pastoral experience in both urban and rural settings, as well as leadership roles within the denomination.

A measles outbreak has resulted in at least one death and over 290 illnesses in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The epicenter of the outbreak is a Mennonite community in Gaines County, Texas. These Mennonites are part of the Old Colony Mennonites, a group that originated in Russia and emigrated to the United States in 1977 through Canada and Mexico. They maintain traditional lifestyles and conservative practices, speaking Plautdietsch, a Low German dialect, and sending their children to their own schools. Vaccination rates in this community have historically been low.

Mennonite Church USA is one of more than 40 distinct Anabaptist and Mennonite groups in the U.S. While the Mennonites in Gaines County are separate from MC USA, both groups share foundational beliefs in baptism, peacemaking, community discernment, and the centrality of Jesus. However, their practices and approaches to these beliefs differ.

MC USA encourages health and well-being and respects medical and scientific standards. The denomination does not interfere with individuals’ personal medical decisions. The group has agreed on statements that reflect these values, emphasizing the importance of community discernment during the pandemic as congregations navigated complex decisions about gatherings, masks, and visits.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations, including two doses of the MMR vaccine for children. All 50 states and Washington D.C. have laws requiring certain vaccines for school attendance, often aligning with CDC guidelines. These requirements aim to protect public health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

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