U.S. measles cases reach 35-year high in 2026, surpassing last year’s total
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The majority of infected people — 93%, according to the CDC — are unvaccinated.“We have joined the rank of countries where vaccination is not reaching the levels needed to protect all of our children against some of the most contagious diseases,” said Dr. Richard Besser, a pediatrician and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. When vaccine levels dip, measles is usually the first vaccine-preventable disease to rise because it’s by far the most contagious.
- ▪The majority of infected people — 93%, according to the CDC — are unvaccinated.“We have joined the rank of countries where vaccination is not reaching the levels needed to protect all of our children against some of the most contagious dise
- ▪Richard Besser, a pediatrician and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
- ▪When vaccine levels dip, measles is usually the first vaccine-preventable disease to rise because it’s by far the most contagious.
5 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 3 hours. Coverage spans 3 points on the political spectrum — 2 lean left, 1 centre, 1 right.
- ▪ Measles surge hits new milestone as US cases surpass last year's total — Fox News — Latest
- ▪ US records 2,318 measles cases, already surpassing 2025 total — Al Jazeera English
- ▪ 2026 U.S. measles cases have passed record-breaking tally for all of 2025 — Global News
- ▪ US measles cases hit 2,318 in 2026, surpassing last year's total, CDC data shows — ABC News — Top
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Health newsU.S. measles cases reach 35-year high in 2026, surpassing last year’s total The sharp rise in cases comes amid a decadeslong decline in childhood vaccination rates.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00A sign outside a mobile clinic offering measles and flu vaccinations in February in Spartanburg, S.C.Sean Rayford / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJuly 24, 2026, 11:05 AM EDTBy Erika EdwardsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that the United States has logged 2,318 measles cases in the first seven months of this year, surpassing last year’s total of 2,289. Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.It’s the largest number of measles cases the U.S.
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