US loses measles elimination status after 26 years, CDC data confirms
The United States has lost its measles elimination status after 26 years, driven by rising outbreaks and falling vaccination rates, an independent commission reporting to the Pan American Health Organization has determined.
The United States has officially lost its measles elimination status after 26 years, driven by surging outbreaks and declining vaccination rates.
Elimination status lost
An independent commission of experts reporting to the director of the Pan American Health Organization determined that the US no longer qualifies as having eliminated measles, according to a source close to the process who spoke to CNN.
The decision means measles is no longer considered eliminated as a continually transmitting illness in the United States — a status the country had held since 2000 thanks to widespread vaccination.
Record-breaking outbreaks
Case counts have broken records for two consecutive years. So far in 2026, the country has recorded more measles cases than in any other year since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter-century ago — making this the worst year since 1991.
- Pennsylvania: Seven measles-associated deaths reported in 2026, in the state’s largest outbreak in more than three decades
- Wisconsin: Two measles-associated deaths reported
- New York: One measles-associated death reported
- 2025: Three measles deaths — the first reported in the US since 2015
A large outbreak in West Texas accounted for at least a third of all national cases in 2025. While state officials declared that outbreak over, other outbreaks continue to grow.
Vaccination gaps
Nearly all measles cases have been in people who had not received the highly effective measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or whose vaccination status is unknown.
The United States has set a target vaccination rate of 95%, but coverage among kindergarteners has dipped below that in recent years — leaving communities vulnerable to outbreaks.
What happens next
Because measles is so contagious, high vaccination coverage is key to minimizing spread. The US is now on a path to regain its elimination status, but experts warn that sustained outbreaks could make that harder.
Mexico, which has had several large measles outbreaks of its own, is also in danger of losing its elimination status.
This is a developing story and will be updated as the CDC releases further national data.