US Measles Elimination at Risk as Local Outbreaks Surge

Measles cases in the U.S. have surged to levels not seen in decades, jeopardizing the country’s elimination status as most of the 2,295 cases this year are locally acquired. Experts say elimination requires over 95% vaccination at the community level, but post-pandemic declines in MMR coverage, rising exemptions, and shrinking public health funding threaten rapid detection and response. Analysts project the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status by 2026, and restoring high vaccine coverage may take years.