Logan Reid
There has been a surge in measles cases in the US, with the current number of cases at its highest level in over 30 years. According to the CDC, 92% of those infected are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. This has sparked a debate about the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, with some requesting unvaccinated donor blood and others expressing concerns about the low vaccination rates in children. As a result, many counties have introduced expanded vaccination guidance to increase coverage and protect those at risk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of measles cases in the US in 2025 | 1,277-1,288 |
| Percentage of cases in unvaccinated people or those with unknown vaccination status | 92% |
| Number of deaths | 3 |
| Number of hospitalizations | 155 |
| Percentage of cases requiring hospitalization | 13% |
| Percentage of cases in children under 5 | 28% |
| Percentage of vaccinated people requiring hospitalization | 8% |
| MMR vaccine effectiveness against measles (one dose) | 93% |
| MMR vaccine effectiveness against measles (two doses) | 97% |
| Colorado's percentage of measles cases in vaccinated people | 37.5% |
| Colorado's percentage of unvaccinated schoolchildren who will get sick if exposed to measles | 90% |
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What You'll Learn
Measles cases in the US are at a record high
Measles Cases in the US Surge to a Record High
Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, has been experiencing a concerning resurgence in the United States. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, outbreaks continue to occur, primarily due to gaps in vaccination coverage and the virus's high transmissibility.
As of July 2025, there have been at least 1,277 confirmed cases of measles reported in the US, with 38 states affected. This surpasses the previous record from 2019, when there were 1,274 cases. Experts believe that the cases this year are likely to be severely undercounted due to many going unreported.
The vast majority of cases, approximately 92%, have occurred in individuals who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. The measles vaccine (MMR) is highly effective, with one dose providing 93% protection and two doses offering 97% efficacy. However, the impact of falling childhood vaccine coverage has contributed to the surge in measles cases.
The outbreaks have resulted in hospitalizations and fatalities. At least 155 people with measles have been hospitalized this year, and there have been three deaths, including two unvaccinated children in Texas and one unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
To address the outbreak, special vaccination clinics have been established, and expanded vaccination guidance has been introduced in several counties, allowing infants as young as six months old to receive their first shot. These efforts have led to increased vaccination coverage, particularly in states like New Mexico and Texas.
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92% of measles cases are in unvaccinated people
Measles cases have surged to a record high in the US since the disease was eliminated in 2000, with more cases in 2025 than any other year since. According to the CDC, 92% of those who have contracted the virus are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. This means that only about 8% of confirmed cases have been in people who had received one or two doses of the MMR vaccine.
The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, with one dose being 93% effective at preventing measles and two doses being 97% effective. Despite this, vaccination coverage among US kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year, leaving around 280,000 children vulnerable to the disease.
The high number of measles cases in the US is partly due to falling childhood vaccine coverage and outbreaks in undervaccinated communities. For example, a large outbreak in an undervaccinated pocket of West Texas has contributed significantly to the rise in cases. In addition, measles is highly transmissible and can live in the air for up to two hours after an infectious person has left the space. This makes it easy for the disease to spread in close quarters, such as summer camps, or during times of high travel, like spring break.
The low vaccination rates in the US have led to a situation where measles cases are now at their highest level in over 30 years. This has resulted in serious health complications and even deaths, with three fatalities reported across the US as of July 2025. Two of these deaths were in unvaccinated school-aged children in Texas, and the other was an adult in New Mexico.
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Vaccination rates among US kindergartners are decreasing
Measles cases in the US have surged to a record high since the disease was eliminated in 2000. There have been at least 1,277 confirmed cases of measles in 2025, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The vast majority of these cases have been in unvaccinated individuals, with only about 8% of confirmed cases occurring in people who had received one or two doses of the MMR vaccine.
The recent surge in measles cases has been attributed to falling childhood vaccine coverage and local outbreaks in undervaccinated communities. In particular, the US has seen a decrease in vaccination rates among kindergarteners, with a record number of exemptions for required vaccinations during the 2023-24 school year. This has left more than 125,000 new schoolchildren without coverage for at least one state-mandated vaccine. Overall, vaccination coverage among US kindergartners decreased from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year, leaving approximately 280,000 kindergartners at risk.
The decline in vaccination rates among US kindergartners is particularly concerning given the vulnerability of this age group to vaccine-preventable diseases. Measles, for example, can cause serious health complications in children under five, including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and encephalitis. The CDC has emphasized that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, with one dose providing 93% protection against measles and two doses offering 97% protection.
The decrease in vaccination rates among US kindergartners has been influenced by various factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of vaccine misinformation, and hesitancy among parents. Additionally, changes in federal vaccine recommendations and the replacement of CDC panelists with members holding anti-vaccine views have contributed to uncertainty and anxiety among parents.
To address the declining vaccination rates, health officials have recommended strengthening primary healthcare systems, combating misinformation, and improving access to vaccines. The recent surge in measles cases has prompted some parents to rush to vaccinate their children, fearing future changes to vaccine coverage and recommendations.
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Breakthrough cases in vaccinated people occur
While vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness and death, breakthrough cases in vaccinated people do occur. A vaccine breakthrough case is defined as the detection of infection in individuals who are fully vaccinated. In the context of COVID-19, the CDC has been registering breakthrough cases that result in hospitalization or death since May 2021. It is important to note that these cases are rare, and the number of reported breakthrough cases is likely an undercount.
Even with the emergence of new variants, such as the Delta variant, vaccines continue to provide strong protection against severe illness and hospitalization. However, vaccinated individuals can still contract the virus and spread it to others, as seen in some breakthrough cases. This does not mean that vaccines are ineffective; instead, it emphasizes the importance of achieving high vaccination rates to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent the spread of the virus.
In the case of measles, which has seen a surge in cases in the United States, the vast majority of cases and hospitalizations have occurred in unvaccinated individuals. According to the CDC, the measles vaccine is safe and highly effective, with one dose providing 93% protection and two doses providing 97% protection. However, falling vaccination rates have contributed to the rise in measles cases, and even vaccinated individuals may experience breakthrough infections, albeit with milder symptoms.
It is important to understand that while vaccines provide a strong defense against diseases, they may not offer 100% protection. Breakthrough cases can occur due to various factors, including new variants, waning immunity, and individual variations in immune response. However, vaccinated individuals are generally better protected against severe illness and are less likely to require hospitalization compared to unvaccinated individuals.
To summarize, while breakthrough cases in vaccinated people can occur, vaccines remain our best defense against severe illness and hospitalization. They provide a crucial layer of protection for individuals and communities, helping to reduce the spread of infectious diseases and protect those who are most vulnerable.
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The MMR vaccine is safe and effective
Measles cases in the US have surged to a record high since the disease was eliminated in 2000. There have been at least 1,277 confirmed cases in 2025, with the case tally already surpassing the previous record from 2019. This surge has been driven by falling childhood vaccine coverage and outbreaks in undervaccinated pockets of the country.
One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, and two doses are 97% effective. While the vaccine is also effective at protecting against mumps, immunity against mumps may decrease over time. It is recommended that individuals receive two doses of the vaccine for optimal protection.
The MMR vaccine is safe for individuals of all ages, including breastfeeding women and their babies. While the vaccine can cause side effects, these are usually mild and last only a few days. Common side effects include a raised rash, feeling unwell, and a high temperature. More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are rare. Research has shown that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
The MMR vaccine is an important tool in controlling the spread of measles, mumps, and rubella. Vaccination helps to limit the size, duration, and spread of outbreaks. By achieving high vaccination coverage in communities, we can protect those who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborns and individuals with weakened immune systems, through herd immunity.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2025, 28% of measles cases requiring hospitalization were in children younger than 5. 92% of those who contracted the virus were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
The risks of not being vaccinated vary depending on the disease and the person. For example, unvaccinated children are at risk of contracting measles, which can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old.
There is currently no evidence that supports any benefits to not being vaccinated. Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect yourself from serious diseases.
