US Measles Cases Reach 35-Year High Amid Declining Vaccination Rates

The United States has reported 5,182 confirmed measles cases in 2026, marking the highest annual total since 1991. Children and teenagers account for nearly 60% of these infections. This surge coincides with a decline in measles vaccination coverage among US kindergarteners, which fell from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year to 92.4% in 2025-2026. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data indicates four measles-related deaths in 2026, though state figures, particularly from Pennsylvania, show a higher count, leading to a dispute over classification.