U.S. measles cases surge to highest levels in decades, threatening elimination status amid declining vaccination rates
Measles is again endemic in the U.S., 26 years after it was declared eliminated.
In the past two years, cases surged with nearly 5,200 reported this year. Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin each reported a measles death last week, taking this year’s total to eight.
As of November 2026, the U.S. is on the brink of losing its measles-elimination status due to a resurgence and sustained transmission.
Current trends
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 5,182 confirmed measles cases across 47 jurisdictions in 2026, marking a three-decade high. There have been more than 43 outbreaks in 2026, with 96% of cases linked to these outbreaks.
National kindergarten MMR vaccination rates dropped to 92.4%, below the 95% needed for herd immunity. Multiple deaths in states like Pennsylvania and New York are driven by low vaccination coverage in specific community clusters.
Rising vaccine hesitancy and post-pandemic immunization disruptions are key factors in the resurgence. Community-level coverage is below 90% in some areas, such as parts of Pennsylvania at 87%, increasing vulnerability to the virus.
A Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) technical commission is reviewing genomic and transmission data to determine if the U.S. has surpassed the 12-month uninterrupted spread threshold needed to revoke its elimination status, first achieved in 2000.
