U.S. Measles Cases Surpass 5,000 in 2026, Threatening Elimination Status Amid Declining Vaccination Rates
The United States is facing a significant resurgence of measles, with over 5,000 confirmed cases reported nationwide in 2026, marking the highest number since 1991. This increase has led to outbreaks across 47 jurisdictions, prompting public health officials to confront renewed transmission of a disease previously eliminated in 2000. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is currently reviewing the U.S.'s measles elimination status, assessing whether sustained domestic transmission has returned. A key factor contributing to this resurgence is the decline in childhood vaccination coverage. The CDC's 2025-2026 school vaccination data indicates that only 92.4% of kindergarten students received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, falling below the approximately 95% coverage generally required for community protection. Approximately 280,000 kindergarten students attended school without complete MMR vaccination documentation, and exemptions for required immunizations rose to 4.2% from 3.6% the pr...