Context:

The United States has experienced a significant surge in measles cases, reaching a record high since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, primarily due to falling childhood vaccine coverage and a major outbreak in West Texas. With at least 1,277 cases reported in 2025, this outbreak has already surpassed the previous record from 2019, and experts believe many cases are underreported. The outbreak in Texas, which accounts for the majority of cases, threatens the country's measles elimination status and has prompted special vaccination clinics and early vaccination measures. The measles outbreaks have not only affected Texas but also spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and even internationally, with cases linked to Canada and Mexico. Despite the proven effectiveness of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, vaccination rates remain below the recommended level, leading to increased cases and hospitalizations, particularly among unvaccinated individuals and children under five.

Dive Deeper:

• The surge in measles cases in the US, with 1,277 confirmed cases in 2025, marks the highest since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, driven largely by low vaccination rates and a significant outbreak in West Texas. The outbreak has surpassed the previous record set in 2019 and is likely underreported, with three deaths reported so far among unvaccinated individuals.

• A major outbreak in Texas, which began in January, accounts for over 750 cases and threatens the country's measles elimination status. The outbreak is concentrated in Gaines County, where vaccination rates are alarmingly low, with nearly 1 in 4 kindergartners lacking the required MMR vaccine.

• Efforts to combat the outbreak include special vaccination clinics and expanded vaccination guidance, allowing for early administration of the MMR vaccine to infants as young as six months. In response, MMR vaccination rates among infants in Texas have significantly increased compared to previous years.

• The measles outbreak has spread beyond Texas, affecting states like New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas, and has international links to outbreaks in Canada and Mexico. The CDC has issued warnings for travelers, recommending vaccination with two doses of the MMR vaccine.

• Despite the high transmissibility and risk of measles, vaccination rates remain below the 95% threshold necessary to prevent outbreaks, with a concerning rise in vaccination exemptions among kindergartners. This situation is exacerbated by the recent dismissal of an expert vaccine advisory panel by the HHS Secretary, raising public health concerns.