The United States recorded 1,234 measles cases in the first seven months of 2026, a 35-year high. This surpasses the total for all of 2025, which stood at 1,045 cases. The surge is directly tied to declining MMR vaccination rates in schools across multiple states.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cited by Bloomberg, shows infections have now exceeded the 2025 total. The New York Times reports that outbreaks are concentrated in Florida, Texas, and Ohio. Children aged 1 to 9 account for 62% of cases. Hospitalizations have reached 312. Two deaths have been confirmed—both in unvaccinated children.
The root cause is clear. MMR vaccination coverage among kindergarteners fell to 91% in the 2025-2026 school year—down from 95% in 2019. The Washington Post’s interactive map reveals that over 1,200 schools now have vaccination rates below 80%. This is far below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. Non-medical exemptions, often based on philosophical or religious objections, have risen by 18% since 2022.
Measles is not a benign childhood illness. It can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. In 2026, 14 children have suffered permanent hearing loss. Three have developed encephalitis. Local health departments in Texas have closed 40 schools for quarantine. The economic cost to the education system is estimated at $80 million in lost instructional days and emergency response.
Parents can check their school’s vaccination rates. State health department databases provide this data. The Washington Post offers an interactive tool, “See Your School’s Vaccine Rates,” that aggregates state-level data. If a single school has a rate below 85%, the entire district faces a heightened risk of outbreak.
What can be done? Catch-up vaccination campaigns are the most effective intervention. The CDC recommends that schools audit immunization records immediately. Free vaccination clinics should be held on-site. School administrators must engage hesitant parents through one-on-one conversations, not mass emails. Stricter exemption laws are needed. Only California, New York, and Connecticut have eliminated non-medical exemptions. The remaining states have seen the worst outbreaks.
Without action, the 35-year high will be broken again. Vaccination is the only proven defense. Parents must check their child’s status. School leaders must close loopholes. Policymakers must fund public health infrastructure.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is causing the 2025 measles outbreak in the US?
- A: The outbreak is driven by declining MMR vaccination rates in schools, which fell to 91% among kindergarteners, below the 95% herd immunity threshold. Non-medical exemptions have risen 18% since 2022.
- Q: How many measles cases have been reported in 2025-2026?
- A: The US recorded 1,234 cases in the first seven months of 2026, a 35-year high, surpassing the 1,045 cases reported for all of 2025.
- Q: Which states are most affected by the measles outbreak?
- A: Outbreaks are concentrated in Florida, Texas, and Ohio, with children aged 1 to 9 accounting for 62% of cases.
Extended Reading
For further reference, the data in this report is sourced from Bloomberg, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. The Washington Post’s interactive tool, “See Your School’s Vaccine Rates,” is a primary resource for local data. HA Viewpoint maintains no proprietary datasets on this topic.