The number of measles cases in the United States this year has seen a fourfold increase compared to 2024, nearing a peak not witnessed in 30 years.

According to reliable sources at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Friday, 1,168 confirmed measles cases have been reported across 33 states. In comparison, last year saw only 285 cases. The present trend indicates that the U.S. is on a trajectory to surpass the 1,274 cases reported in 2019, which would result in the highest annual total since 1992.

The 33 states with confirmed cases stretch from Alaska to Florida, and from Hawaii to Washington. Within these cases, the CDC reports that 95% involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

Meanwhile, only 2% of cases have been registered among those who have received one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, while a mere 3% have been among those who have completed the required two doses. This raises important questions about the importance of vaccination.

The measles outbreak has been particularly pronounced in Texas’s western region, with 742 cases reported so far this year by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Nearly 100 of these cases have required hospitalization. Following national trends, most Texas cases have occurred among the unvaccinated or those of unknown vaccination status.

The CDC continues to recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose administered between 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 to 6 years of age. The effectiveness against measles is 93% with one dose and increases to 97% with two doses.

However, CDC data indicates a troubling trend – vaccination rates have been declining in recent years. During the 2023 to 2024 school year, only 92.7% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine. This is lower than the 93.1% seen in the previous school year and significantly lower than the 95.2% reported in the 2019 to 2020 school year, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measles situation in the United States is escalating, with unvaccinated individuals being the most susceptible. The importance of adhering to the recommended vaccination schedule is evident.