Measles outbreaks may cost U.S. over $1 billion annually if vaccine rates decline

In early 2025, a measles outbreak in West Texas prompted Lubbock’s public health director, Katherine Wells, to seek $100,000 for temporary staff to manage the crisis. Despite the urgency, state health officials denied additional funding, leading to staff shortages as Wells redirected her team to manage contact tracing and vaccination efforts. A report from Yale School of Public Health warned that declining vaccination rates could cost the U.S. $1.5 billion annually due to increased outbreaks, hospitalizations, and lost productivity. As of early 2026, over 1,000 measles cases were reported, with 94% of infections among unvaccinated individuals.

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