**US Measles Cases Reach 35-Year High Amid Vaccine Hesitancy**
The United States is experiencing a significant resurgence of measles, with reported cases climbing to 2,295 this year, marking the highest annual total since 1991, according to data from Johns Hopkins University (JHU). This alarming increase follows a successful mass vaccination campaign that led to the disease being declared eliminated in the country in 2000.
Measles, a highly contagious viral respiratory disease, saw a dramatic rise in cases last year, with numbers surging more than eightfold compared to 2024. The current outbreak highlights the vulnerabilities in vaccination coverage, particularly among unvaccinated individuals. JHU's recent update indicates that nearly all reported cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. The effectiveness of the measles vaccine is well-documented, with two doses providing approximately 97% protection against the virus.
The last time the US faced such high infection rates was in 1991, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 9,643 cases. This year's outbreaks have been particularly concentrated in South Carolina and Utah, which followed a significant multistate outbreak in West Texas that also affected neighboring New Mexico and other states in 2025.
William Moss, a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, commented on the situation, stating, “That tells us this has been years of undervaccination in some communities.” He expressed frustration over the inability to halt the transmission of the measles virus in the country, emphasizing the importance of addressing the underlying issues contributing to vaccine hesitancy.
The rise in vaccine hesitancy has been attributed to various factors, including the spread of misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic and public protests against vaccine mandates. This trend has raised concerns among health officials and experts who advocate for vaccination as a critical measure to prevent outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles.
In response to the outbreak, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism toward vaccines, has recommended that individuals receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, he also underscored that the decision to vaccinate should remain a personal choice.
Former President Donald Trump has also voiced support for the MMR vaccine, stating in an interview with ABC News last year, “I recommend it. Yeah… Do I mandate it? No.” This statement reflects the ongoing debate surrounding vaccination policies and individual choice in the United States.
As health officials continue to monitor the situation, the emphasis remains on increasing vaccination rates to prevent further outbreaks and protect public health. The current spike in measles cases serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to ensure community immunity against this highly contagious disease.