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The first measles vaccine (licensed in 1963) and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (introduced in the U.S. in 1971) eradicated endemic measles — but given the contagiousness of the virus, vaccination coverage must remain high to prevent outbreaks. Since the time that measles was declared eliminated in 2000, yearly case numbers have averaged about 100 but reached 1274 in 2019. The year 2025 is on track to have the highest case number in over three decades.
As of mid-April of 2025, the CDC has noted the following information on measles:
In all, 800 confirmed cases were reported from 25 states (primarily Texas [597] and New Mexico [63]).
Seven outbreaks have been reported, with 93% of cases outbreak-associated.
Some 70% of confirmed ca…