After 26 years, the US has lost its measles elimination status
- On Friday, the Pan American Health Organization revoked the United States' measles-elimination status, ending a 26-year designation after confirming continuous virus transmission exceeded 12 months.
- Declining childhood immunization rates fueled sustained transmission, with kindergarten MMR vaccination coverage dropping to 92% in 2026 from 95% in 2019 amid rising vaccine hesitancy.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 5,412 measles cases in 2026—the highest since 1991—while state health departments report at least 10 measles-associated deaths this year.
- Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, said losing elimination status damages the nation's public health reputation and signals, "Basically, measles is back."
- Regaining elimination status requires the country to end local transmission and remain outbreak-free for 12 months, a challenging task given diminished public trust and rising nonmedical exemptions, according to experts.
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Travel & Lifestyle: The U.S. Lost Its Measles Elimination Status — Here’s What That Means For Public Health
After more than 12 months of continuous measles spread ― a vaccine-preventable illness ― the United States has officially lost its measles elimination status. The designation was originally awarded in 2000 to mark and celebrate the end of endemic transmission of measles. The decision was made by a panel of international health and science experts at the Pan American Health Organization, which is an agency within the World Health Organization. It…
After a quarter of a century, the United States has lost its status as a masquerade-free country. Since the beginning of last year, the United States has repeatedly experienced major outbreaks of the highly contagious disease.
The US has LOST its measles-free status, which it had held since 2000. The decision was made due to declining vaccination rates and the continued spread of the virus within the country, which represents a major setback.
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