All articles tagged with #mmr
Upticks in mumps cases—26 in Maryland this year and 34 nationwide across 11 jurisdictions—are prompting renewed attention to vaccination, as experts explain transmission before symptoms, possible complications, and why two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective but not foolproof, sometimes leading to a third dose during outbreaks.
CDC data show the US has logged more than 1,100 measles cases in two months, with 1,136 cases reported in the first eight weeks of the year — about six times the yearly average. About 96% of cases are in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated people, many children. Outbreaks are active across several states, notably South Carolina (≈979 cases since October), plus spread in North Carolina, Utah-Arizona, and Florida near Ave Maria University. Health officials warn the disease remains vaccine-preventable and emphasize expanding vaccination coverage, as the US risks losing its measles elimination status.
Maryland reports 19 confirmed and seven probable mumps cases through Feb. 19, mostly among adults in the Baltimore area, a rise from four confirmed cases in 2025; investigators are examining possible links. Mumps spreads via saliva and respiratory droplets; early signs include upper-respiratory symptoms, fever, and jaw swelling. There’s no cure, though most recover in two weeks; serious complications can occur, but public risk is low due to high vaccination rates. Prevention centers on the two-dose MMR vaccine, with boosters for those with uncertain vaccination status and two doses for unvaccinated adults.
North London is experiencing a measles outbreak (61 cases so far this year) linked to low vaccination rates in the capital: only 69% of five-year-olds are fully vaccinated, well below the national 84% and the 95% target, reflecting a broader England-wide decline in MMR uptake.
Seven schools and a nursery in Enfield report more than 60 suspected measles cases, with 34 confirmed since January 12; health officials warn that low MMR vaccination uptake is fueling the spread and could threaten a wider pan-London outbreak, as vaccination clinics are rolled out in schools and communities to curb transmission.
A measles case has been confirmed in the Pensacola area; health officials warn the disease is highly contagious and urge vaccination for unvaccinated individuals. Infants aged 6–11 months may receive early MMR vaccination, while children 12 months and older should get routine vaccination. Contact Pensacola Pediatrics to schedule an appointment.
Measles is resurging in the U.S. with thousands of cases in 2025 and outbreaks such as in South Carolina; the virus is highly contagious and can cause severe symptoms and complications, especially in unvaccinated children. Early signs include cough, runny nose, fever, and Koplik spots, followed by a spreading rash. The best protection is two doses of the MMR vaccine (about 97% effective); adults should check their vaccination status, and those who can’t be vaccinated rely on herd immunity and public health measures like quarantine to limit spread.
Napa County has confirmed a measles case—the county's first since 2012—in a child who was not vaccinated and had traveled to South Carolina, which is dealing with a large outbreak; CA CDPH is coordinating follow-up and vaccination outreach, while officials say there is no current public health threat to the general population in Napa. Separately, Santa Clara County detected measles in wastewater from Palo Alto’s sewershed, but officials cautioned the source is unknown and follow-up testing found no further evidence in the water; national measles cases rose to record levels in 2025, underscoring the importance of the two-dose MMR vaccine for lifelong immunity.
A CDC leader said that the United States could lose its measles elimination status without it meaning a grave change to elimination strategies, even as ongoing outbreaks in South Carolina and West Texas continue to spread, largely among the unvaccinated. The data show that 93% of last year’s cases and 95% of cases so far in 2026 involved individuals with no or unknown MMR vaccination status, highlighting vaccination as the best defense. The Pan American Health Organization could revoke elimination status in April, but the focus remains on preventing transmission through vaccination and public health measures.
A year after a West Texas measles outbreak began, the US has seen a renewed surge into 2026, with 2025 tallying more than 2,200 confirmed cases and ongoing outbreaks that could threaten measles elimination status. Experts point to lagging vaccination coverage and rising exemptions as key drivers, underscoring the need for stronger vaccination efforts and targeted public-health messaging to prevent more preventable illnesses and deaths.
A first-of-its-kind measles risk map lets people enter their ZIP code to view estimated local MMR vaccination coverage and corresponding outbreak risk. Using a national sample and statistical modeling, researchers categorize areas from lowest to very high risk and identify hot spots of low vaccination. The tool highlights that outbreaks are highly localized and vaccination rates, including among kindergarteners, have declined since before the pandemic, emphasizing the role of herd immunity in preventing spread and aiding public health decisions.
Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill called for the development of separate vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella, citing a suggestion from President Trump, though current scientific evidence supports the combined MMR vaccine for safety and efficacy. The move would increase the number of injections children receive and is not currently supported by U.S. health authorities, amid rising measles cases and ongoing debates about vaccine safety and administration.
A US health official has called for separating the combined MMR vaccine, citing benefits of individual shots, but Merck and experts defend the current combined vaccine, emphasizing its safety and efficacy. The CDC supports the combined vaccine for children over 4, while recent policy shifts and debates highlight ongoing controversies over vaccine schedules and safety.
The acting CDC director, Jim O'Neill, urged vaccine manufacturers to develop separate monovalent vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella, following a recommendation to avoid the combined MMR vaccine for children under 4, and noting that currently, no monovalent vaccines are licensed in the U.S.
President Trump's suggestion to separate the MMR vaccine into individual shots has reignited a long-standing and discredited debate, raising concerns among health experts about the risks to public health, vaccine coverage, and the potential for outbreaks of measles, rubella, and mumps. Experts warn that splitting the vaccine could lead to lower immunization rates, increased barriers to vaccination, and a resurgence of preventable diseases, while also emphasizing that such proposals are driven more by political ideology than scientific evidence.