A measles outbreak is back—and spreading fast. Cases in the U.S. have jumped by 1,600% in 2024, with outbreaks in Michigan, Florida, and even at airports where travelers unknowingly bring the disease across borders.
If you’re in public health, this is your nightmare. People need vaccines—but can’t always get to them. Maybe they live in rural areas, don’t have transportation, or face long clinic wait times. The gap between vaccines and those who need them is fueling the outbreak.
Now imagine a different reality—one where vaccines come to the people instead. A mother in a rural town no longer has to drive hours to find an open clinic. A worker with back-to-back shifts can get immunized without missing a paycheck. No long trips, no barriers—just fast, easy protection against measles or other infectious diseases.
Now imagine a different reality: Vaccines go to the people instead. No travel, no barriers—just fast, easy immunization where it’s needed. That’s what mobile vaccine clinics do. They help close the gap, protect communities, and stop measles before it spreads further.
At AVAN Mobility, we help organizations like yours and the Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri bring healthcare to the people. For over a decade, we’ve been designing mobile medical units that help stop outbreaks and save lives. While we build top-tier vehicles, we know we’re not the only ones. This isn’t about us—it’s about how mobile vaccine clinics can strengthen your organization’s impact and help more communities get vaccinated faster and more effectively.
In this article, you’ll learn what mobile vaccine clinics are and how you can use them to help control measles outbreaks.
What’s the current status of the measles outbreak in the U.S.?
As of February 2025, there are 164 confirmed cases across nine states—a big jump for a disease that was eliminated in the U.S. back in 2000.
Where is the outbreak happening?
- Texas: The hardest-hit state, with 146 cases and 20 hospitalizations in the South Plains area. Sadly, an unvaccinated child died—the first measles-related death in over a decade.
- Other states: Cases have also been reported in New Mexico, California, New Jersey, New York City, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Alaska.
Airports are a growing risk
- Measles is highly contagious, and congested airports are making the outbreak worse.
- In 2024, cases in Ohio, Indiana, and Louisiana were linked to travel to Florida.
- More infected travelers mean a higher risk of outbreaks in new locations.
Who is most at risk?
- Unvaccinated kids and teens are the most affected.
- Measles spreads fast and can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death.
Measles cases are rising worldwide
- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warns that measles is surging in the Americas.
- As of February 2025, 268 cases have been reported in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.—much higher than last year.
This outbreak isn’t slowing down. Without strong vaccination efforts, more people will get sick, and more outbreaks will spread.
What barriers prevent people from getting the measles vaccine?
Getting a measles vaccine should be easy, but for many families, it’s not. Transportation, distance, cost, and time all get in the way—making it harder for people to get protected.
No transportation = no vaccine
- A single mom knows her kids need the shot, but she doesn’t have a car, and the nearest clinic is miles away.
- Public transportation is unreliable, and taxis are too expensive—so she keeps putting it off.
Too far from a medical center
- Clinics are hours away in rural areas, and many people don’t have the option of taking a whole day off work for a vaccine.
- Without a local pharmacy or urgent care, getting vaccinated feels impossible.
Healthcare costs add up
- The measles vaccine is usually free, but some people fear extra doctor’s visit fees.
- Without insurance, even small costs can push people to delay or skip it.
Busy schedules and long wait times
- A dad working full-time can’t afford to take hours off to sit in a crowded clinic.
- If appointments are hard to get or wait times are too long, families may just give up.
Misinformation and fear
- Some people don’t trust measles vaccines because of things they read online.
- Others fear potential side effects
If people can’t easily get vaccinated, measles will keep spreading. Closing these gaps is the only way to stop outbreaks.
How do mobile vaccine clinics close the gaps?
A mobile vaccine clinic delivers vaccines directly to people in desperate need. It removes the biggest barriers—time, cost, distance, and transportation—so more people can get vaccinated, and outbreaks can be stopped before they spread further. Let’s look at five ways mobile vaccine clinics overcome these barriers.
1. No transportation? No problem
- Instead of families struggling to get to a traditional medical clinic, the clinic comes to them.
- Mobile medical vaccine clinics set up in community centers, schools, workplaces, and even grocery store parking lots—places people already go.
- This means less missed work, fewer travel costs, and more people getting vaccinated.
2. Reaching rural and underserved communities
- In small towns like Fort Lonesome in Florida, where the nearest medical center is hours away, a mobile clinic brings healthcare to their doorstep.
- It allows public health teams to serve more people without requiring them to travel long distances.
3. Affordable and accessible care
- Most mobile vaccine clinics offer free vaccinations, removing cost concerns.
- No insurance worries or hidden fees—just easy, straightforward immunization.
4. Faster and more convenient
- Unlike traditional clinics, mobile vaccine units don’t require long wait times or complicated appointment scheduling.
- People can walk up, get vaccinated, and be on their way in minutes.
5. Building trust and fighting misinformation
- Mobile vaccine clinics provide on-site education, helping answer questions and address concerns.
- Having trained medical staff available helps ease fears and encourages people to get vaccinated.
Mobile vaccine clinics remove barriers, increase vaccine access, and help stop measles outbreaks before they spread further.
What features does a mobile vaccine clinic have?
A mobile vaccine clinic is designed to make vaccinations easy, fast, and accessible—especially during a measles outbreak. Here’s how its features help end the outbreak by reaching more people and making vaccination more efficient.
| Feature | Why it’s essential for vaccination |
| Options for sink and fridge | Keeps vaccines at the right temperature and provides clean water for safe medical use. |
| Patient bed with under-bed storage | Gives space for resting after a vaccine and extra storage for supplies. |
| Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry | Stores medical tools, paperwork, and extra vaccines securely. |
| Diagnostic set | Allows healthcare workers to check patients for symptoms or reactions. |
| Speakers | Helps make public announcements to communities about available vaccines. |
| Skylight | Provides natural light, making the space more welcoming and energy-efficient. |
| Awning | Creates a shaded outdoor waiting area to keep patients comfortable. |
| Sharps container | Safely disposes of used needles, preventing contamination and health risks. |
| Wheelchair access | Ensures everyone, including people with disabilities, can get vaccinated. |
| Oxygen system | Supports patients who may have reactions or need extra care. |
| Magnetic table | A sturdy and flexible workspace for medical staff to prepare vaccines. |
| Garbage can | Keeps the clinic clean and organized, preventing health hazards. |
| Solar panels | Provides backup power, keeping vaccines at the right temperature even in remote areas. |
| Generator | Ensures power for refrigeration, medical tools, and lights in case of outages. |
| Privacy curtain | Gives patients a discreet space for medical care if needed. |
| Portable toilet | Helps staff and patients, especially in rural locations with no nearby restrooms. |
| Office desk, chair, power | Provides a workspace for patient records and scheduling. |
| Security system | Protects medical supplies and vaccines from theft. |
| Off-road Trail Edition package | Allows the clinic to reach remote or hard-to-access communities. |
Ready to help end the measles outbreak with a mobile vaccine clinic?
You came here because the measles outbreak is spreading, and too many people simply can’t access vaccines. The challenge isn’t just getting the word out—it’s getting vaccines to the people who need them, fast.
After reading this article, you now know:
- What’s fueling the measles outbreak in the U.S. and why it’s getting worse.
- The biggest barriers preventing people from getting vaccinated.
- How mobile vaccine clinics remove these barriers by making immunization fast, easy, and accessible.
- What features make a mobile vaccine clinic effective for stopping outbreaks in hard-to-reach communities.
At AVAN Mobility, we believe healthcare shouldn’t have barriers—and spend a lot of time helping public health organizations like yours bring life-saving care to underserved communities. We build customized mobile medical units to adapt to your needs so you can administer vaccines wherever they’re needed across the U.S. Whether you’re reaching a rural town like Evart in Michigan, set up at an airport, or serving a busy city center, our solutions help you save lives.
If you have questions about how a mobile vaccine clinic can help your community, click the button below to talk to a mobility expert.
Not ready to chat yet? No problem! Check out these other resources to learn more.
Start with reading our article on mobile clinic customization. This will give you a closer look at what you can do with these vehicles.
After that, check out the video below on the top five pitfalls to avoid when purchasing a mobile clinic.
