Dermatologists can play an essential role in combating vaccine hesitancy and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly as measles cases surge and vaccine-preventable diseases make a comeback, according to a commentary published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
As of September 23, 2025, a total of 1,514 measles cases had been reported in the United States, representing a 431% increase from the prior year. Ninety-two percent of cases occurred in unvaccinated or unknown-status patients and led to 3 deaths. The resurgence follows Florida's elimination of school vaccine mandates and highlights dermatology's role in early disease recognition through identification of vaccine-preventable viral exanthems, including measles and varicella.
Adarsh Shidhaye, BS, of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville in Greenville, South Carolina, and colleagues wrote that vaccine hesitancy—defined by the World Health Organization in 2014 as refusal or delay of vaccination despite availability—stems from multiple factors: lack of trust in health care systems and pharmaceutical companies, misinformation, perceived low disease risk, cost, fear of needles or side effects, access barriers, and parental concerns.
Beyond childhood exanthems, dermatologists encounter numerous vaccine-preventable conditions in daily practice. Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination prevents genital warts and anogenital malignancies, only approximately 75% of eligible adolescents and 50% of eligible adults have been vaccinated. A recent quality improvement study found that same-day in-office HPV vaccination led to dramatic improvement in vaccination rates compared with education alone, largely by reducing scheduling and administrative barriers.
The shingles vaccine, which is currently recommended for immunosuppressed adults older than 19 years and those older than 50 years, has the lowest uptake of any vaccine among eligible Americans. Dermatologists can address this gap through counseling during routine visits. Additionally, patients receiving biologics and small molecule inhibitors for dermatologic conditions require appropriate vaccination before initiating therapy, with counseling against live vaccinations and encouragement of regular influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for immunocompromised patients already undergoing treatment.
Dermatologists also are uniquely qualified to recognize emerging infectious diseases such as mpox, which disproportionately affects men who have sex with men, and should counsel affected patients and exposed contacts on postexposure vaccination, the researchers noted.
"Vaccine education should not be confined to primary care or infectious disease clinics," they wrote. "Dermatologists are trained in infectious skin disease and can play pivotal roles in providing vaccine education and guidance across pediatric and adult populations."
The researchers emphasized that dermatologists care for many immunosuppressed patients who face heightened risks from vaccine-preventable illnesses. They provide unique perspectives and have a responsibility to remind immunocompetent patients of their social responsibility to protect others, Mr. Shidhaye and colleagues concluded.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest or funding sources.
