Measles Collaborative Statement on US Measles Elimination Status

The reported loss of US measles elimination status is a significant public health setback. It underscores the urgent need to strengthen measles prevention and response. The priority is clear: raise immunization rates to at least 95% to protect communities and prevent further spread.

This means investing in long-term relationships, listening to and engaging with communities, and building the trust to help families understand how to protect against disease. “This is a critical moment to refocus our efforts on what we know works: vaccination. While measles is highly contagious, it is also preventable.

We need to work together to ensure more people are protected, help families understand the importance of MMR vaccination, and equip healthcare professionals and public health teams to respond quickly to individual cases and outbreaks,” said Patsy Stinchfield, Executive Director of the Measles Collaborative.

The Measles Collaborative, an initiative of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), brings together expertise from across the public health and healthcare communities to strengthen measles prevention and response. We remain committed to advancing evidence-based information, supporting healthcare professionals and public health partners, building trust, and increasing vaccination coverage to protect individuals and prevent further transmission.

For more information on the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) decision, visit: Measles and Rubella Elimination Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission (opens in new tab) Statements posted by the Measles Collaborative reflect careful work by the collaborative’s subject matter experts and do not imply formal endorsement by all Collaborative partners.

Read statements from Measles Collaborative members: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases Society of America (opens in new tab) About the Measles Collaborative An initiative of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), the Measles Collaborative brings together diverse healthcare, public health, academic, and professional partners to strengthen measles education, communication, prevention, clinical care, and outbreak response.

By connecting expertise across disciplines, the Collaborative aims to help address information gaps, support evidence-based decision-making, and advance coordinated action. For more information, visit www.nfid.org/measles-collaborative . Contact: communications@nfid.org