John Oliver Tackles Minnesota's Measles Outbreak: Watch

Comedian and political commentator John Oliver took on the issue of Minnesota's measles outbreak in the latest episode of HBO's Last Week Tonight. The episode focused on vaccinations, and noted that the Somali community in Minnesota, where most of the state's measles cases have been found this year, has recently seen a sharp decline in vaccination rates.

"The number of measles cases [in Minnesota] so far this year has already outpaced the total number in all the U.S. last year," Oliver said. "And that is terrible, because the only thing Minnesota should have more of than any other state is Garrison's Keillor and people disappointed by the Mall of America," he joked.

So far, there are 78 total cases of measles in Minnesota this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Health:

• 78 total cases in Minnesota:
  • 69 in Hennepin County
  • 3 in Ramsey County
  • 4 in Crow Wing County
  • 2 in Le Sueur County
• Vaccination status:
  • 71 confirmed to be unvaccinated
  • 3 had 1 dose of MMR
  • 3 had 2 doses of MMR
  • 1 is unknown/pending
• Age:
  • 74 in children (ages 0-17 years)
  • 4 cases in adults
• Race/Ethnicity:
  • 65 are Somali Minnesotan
  • 10 are White/Non-Hispanic
  • 3 are White/Hispanic

Image via YouTube