WASHINGTON, November 13, 2026 — The United States is facing the possible loss of its measles-elimination status as health experts review evidence of sustained virus transmission following the country’s worst outbreak in more than three decades. The review has intensified scrutiny of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Trump administration’s vaccination policies, while raising wider concerns about declining immunisation rates and gaps in public-health protection.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is examining whether measles transmission has continued uninterrupted in the United States for at least 12 months. An independent panel of experts is assessing epidemiological and laboratory evidence before PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa makes the final decision, which is expected to become public early next week.
The United States has held measles-elimination status since 2000, when health authorities determined that continuous domestic transmission had been interrupted.
Key points
- The US recorded 5,182 confirmed measles cases by November 5, according to the CDC.
- Johns Hopkins’ tracker counted approximately 5,400 cases by November 11.
- The CDC confirmed six measles-related deaths in 2026.
- PAHO is reviewing whether sustained transmission means the US should lose its elimination status.
- Two MMR vaccine doses provide approximately 97% protection against measles.
More than 5,000 confirmed cases reported in 2026
The scale of the outbreak has become increasingly difficult to contain. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5,182 confirmed measles cases had been reported nationwide by November 5, 2026, across 47 jurisdictions.
The CDC also recorded 43 new outbreaks during 2026, with 96 percent of confirmed cases linked to outbreaks. The total has already substantially exceeded the 2,289 confirmed cases reported throughout 2025.
Johns Hopkins University’s measles tracker reported a higher figure of approximately 5,400 cases by November 11, reflecting differences in data collection and reporting.
The CDC separately confirmed six measles-related deaths in 2026, according to its November 12 update. The agency’s figure differs from some state-level reports because it has changed the data source used to track measles deaths.
RFK Jr faces scrutiny over vaccine policy
Kennedy has faced criticism from public-health experts over his long-standing statements about vaccines and changes to federal health agencies under the Trump administration.
Critics argue that his approach has contributed to vaccine uncertainty at a time when the country needs stronger immunisation efforts. However, the administration has maintained that childhood vaccination rates were declining before Kennedy became health secretary.
The wider picture is more complicated than a single administration or policy decision. Falling vaccination coverage and vaccine hesitancy have been concerns for years, while public-health experts have warned that outbreaks can spread rapidly in communities with insufficient immunity.
The CDC’s latest figures show that measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage among US kindergarteners fell to 92.4 percent in the 2025–2026 school year, below the 95 percent level generally needed to maintain community protection against measles.
Why the elimination decision matters
Losing elimination status would not mean that measles had suddenly become a new disease in the United States or that vaccination efforts would stop. Instead, it would formally recognise that sustained domestic transmission has returned.
The PAHO review is particularly significant because the United States is not the only country facing renewed scrutiny. Canada and Bolivia have also faced concerns over prolonged measles transmission, with Canada having already lost its elimination status.
The review will therefore assess more than the number of reported infections. Experts must determine whether the virus has continued circulating domestically for the required period, using epidemiological and laboratory evidence.
Vaccination remains central to controlling the outbreak
Despite the political debate, public-health authorities continue to identify vaccination as the most effective protection against measles.
The CDC says two doses of the MMR vaccine are approximately 97 percent effective against the disease. It recommends routine vaccination for children, while vaccination needs for adults depend on their immunity and medical circumstances.
The approaching PAHO decision will determine whether the United States retains a public-health achievement maintained for more than two decades. Regardless of the outcome, the growing number of infections highlights the challenge of restoring vaccination coverage and preventing further outbreaks.
