What you need to know
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Measles cases in the US have been on the rise for over a year, threatening the country’s “measles-free” status.
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While some regions globally saw lower case numbers in 2025, experts caution that this may not indicate a lasting trend.
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Health professionals express concerns that government vaccination responses are insufficient.
Measles continues to spread in the US, and simply urging people to get vaccinated isn’t likely to reverse the situation.
As cases surge — reaching the highest levels seen since 2000 — Mehmet Oz, former celebrity doctor and current administrator for Medicare and Medicaid under Donald Trump, has urged Americans to ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date.
Technically, the US is still classified as measles-free internationally, but with cases climbing, it may lose that status this year.
In a CNN interview, Oz claimed there’s a “solution” to the rising measles problem in America.
“Please, take the vaccine,” he implored.
He added, “Not all diseases pose the same risks, and not everyone is equally affected. However, measles is one illness where vaccination is crucial.”
Host Dana Bash pointed out the contradiction between Oz’s statements and those of his superior, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his long-standing skepticism about vaccine safety.
Since his appointment in Trump’s cabinet, Kennedy has influenced the revision of US vaccination policies, including those for Hepatitis B and COVID-19, as well as the combined vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
Despite Oz’s appeal, it’s unlikely to result in a significant increase in vaccine uptake; measles vaccination rates in the US are currently below the 95% needed for herd immunity, and in some areas, such as parts of Texas and South Carolina with high case counts, the numbers are much lower.
“The renewed call for measles vaccination from Dr. Mehmet Oz feels insufficient at this point,” remarked Sruti Nadimpalli, a clinical associate professor at Stanford University focusing on pediatric infectious diseases.
“Our leaders need to advocate more strongly and consistently for childhood vaccines, which have been shown to be safe and effective.”
Measles rising in the US, declining elsewhere
Once declared measles-free in 2000, the US now faces a surge in cases from a historically low baseline, as the nation typically recorded only a few hundred cases annually.
In fact, 2025 saw the most cases reported since the eradication declaration, and 2026 is expected to surpass that.
Data from Johns Hopkins University reveals that during the first five weeks of 2026, there had been 866 reported cases, compared to just 71 in the same period in the previous year.
Conversely, regions like Europe and Central Asia have noted a 75% reduction in cases from a record high in 2024 to 2025.
Nonetheless, the World Health Organization and UNICEF have cautioned against complacency among governments. While 32 European nations were declared measles-free in September 2025, some, including Austria, Spain, and the UK, lost that status in January due to rising case numbers.
Similar to the US, health systems in Europe and Central Asia are facing challenges from under-vaccination, reduced herd immunity, and outbreaks in vulnerable communities.
The issue is fueled by a mix of complacency and a lack of understanding regarding the risks posed by highly contagious childhood diseases.
“Given the global situation, we anticipate a significant challenge ahead,” according to Fatima Cengic, UNICEF’s immunization specialist for Europe and Central Asia.
Cengic noted that the success of immunization programs has paradoxically led to complacency, as measles has become relatively rare.
This complacency extends beyond families into government actions, with reduced funding for vaccination initiatives.
“Because we’ve been successful in reducing deaths, there’s less incentive for governments to focus on vaccination, often resulting in underfunding,” explained Cengic.
