What You Need to Know
• The number of confirmed measles cases in the U.S. has reached 2,318 in 2026.
• This surpasses last year’s total of 2,289, the highest in over 30 years.
• Approximately 93% of cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the number of confirmed measles cases in the United States has reached 2,318 in 2026, exceeding last year’s total of 2,289, which was the highest recorded in over three decades. This year’s cases have been confirmed in 43 states and the District of Columbia, with 16 cases involving international visitors. Most cases are among children and teenagers aged 19 and younger, and about 10% of children under five have been hospitalized. The CDC indicates that 93% of the cases are among individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, while 3% of cases involve those who received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and 4% involve those who received the recommended two doses.
Why It Matters
The resurgence of measles cases in the U.S. highlights a significant public health concern, particularly as vaccination rates have declined in recent years. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for effective protection, yet only 92.5% of kindergartners received the vaccine during the 2024-2025 school year, down from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year. Public health experts warn that the U.S. risks losing its measles elimination status, which was achieved in 2000, if vaccination rates do not improve. The current situation underscores the importance of vaccination in preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
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