U.S. Measles Elimination Status at Risk

April 10, 2026

After more than 25 years, the U.S. could be on the brink of losing its “eliminated” status for the measles.

The decision on the country’s disease designation will come later this year. The U.S. has recorded a steady string of cases across dozens of jurisdictions since an outbreak in Texas during early 2025. There were 48 outbreaks reported in 2025, and 90 percent of confirmed cases were associated with those outbreaks, according to national data. This year, there have been 17 outbreaks to date.

In November, public health entities will review if the U.S. has maintained the elimination status. The virus is considered eliminated when there have not been any large outbreaks or continuous transmission over a 12-month period.

Here’s what you need to know:

• By the numbers:  There have been 1,671 cases to date. Last year, there were 2,286.
  • In Pennsylvania, 12 measles cases have been reported. There were 16 last year.
• Key stat:  About 92 percent of those cases were for people who were unvaccinated or had unknown status.
• School-age rates:  In Pennsylvania, the kindergarten vaccination rate for two doses of the measles vaccine was 93.7 percent for 2024–2025. That's down from 95.5 percent for the 2020–2021 school year.
• Demographics:  This year, about 21 percent of the cases nationally were under 5 years old; 52 percent were between 5 and 19; and 27 percent were 20 or older.
  • About 5 percent of cases have required hospitalization. That's down from 11 percent last year.
• Quotable:  “Losing measles elimination status would signify that the same commitment to measles prevention and control may no longer be present in the U.S.,” KFF’s policy watch noted. “It could signify a future where measles is endemic and continuously circulating, especially if vaccination rates continue to decline.”

Additional information about measles is available online.