The United States has reportedly lost its measles-elimination status after 26 years, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the decision.
The designation is lost when measles spreads continuously within a country, with the same chain of transmission lasting at least 12 months, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
PAHO was expected to announce the decision publicly on Tuesday, Nov. 17, KFF Health News also reported, citing researchers familiar with the discussions.
The U.S. has held elimination status since 2000. Individual cases and shorter outbreaks can occur without changing that status.
PAHO’s independent regional verification commission reviewed countries’ elimination status at a meeting in Washington, D.C., held Nov. 10-13.
By Nov. 12, the U.S. had recorded 5,412 confirmed measles cases in 2026, more than twice the 2,289 cases reported during all of 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Stephanie Widmer, an emergency medicine physician in New York City, described the reported loss of status as a public health setback. Measles, she noted, can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, lasting neurological harm and death.
Widmer said the change does not mean the vaccine has stopped working. Rather, she said, some communities may not have enough protection to prevent the virus from spreading over time. Infants who are not yet old enough to be vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable when community immunity falls short.
The American Academy of Family Physicians said the designation reflects ongoing transmission and leaves too many people without protection. The group added that the MMR vaccine remains effective, but said public confidence in proven public health tools needs to be rebuilt.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, said losing the status acknowledges that not all measles spread is linked to travel from abroad. He suggested bringing vaccination clinics directly to communities where vaccination rates are low.
Measles is highly contagious. The CDC says as many as nine out of 10 people without immunity who are exposed to an infected person may contract the virus. It can remain in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left.
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. The CDC recommends that children receive the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between ages 4 and 6.
Most adults without evidence of immunity need one dose, while some adults at higher risk need two. People who have received two doses at the recommended intervals generally do not need a booster, the agency says.
The family physicians’ group said restoring elimination status will require a sustained, coordinated effort, including more support for state and local health departments, faster disease monitoring and communication, clear information for families and easier access to vaccination.
PAHO and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were asked to comment.
