Florida
Measles Cases Surge to 35-Year High Amid Low Vaccination Rates in Florida
Measles cases this year have surpassed all of 2025 to become the worst since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with cases now in 44 states and the District of Columbia, according to a federal report released Friday. There…
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NewsWK — Measles cases in the United States have reached alarming levels, surpassing all of 2025 and marking the highest incidence since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. As of July 23, 2026, the U.S. reported 2,318 confirmed cases of measles, compared to 2,289 cases in all of 2025.
Florida residents should be particularly aware, as the trend reflects the growing challenge of declining vaccination rates across the country. While the majority of cases are concentrated in states like South Carolina, Utah, Texas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, the implications of these figures are felt nationwide, including in Northwest Florida. In fact, a significant percentage of cases—93% in both years—occurred among unvaccinated individuals, primarily those under 20 years old.
Fortunately, hospitalizations this year have decreased, with 151 reported compared to 243 in 2025, and there have been no deaths in 2026, contrasting with three reported last year. However, the resurgence of measles raises concerns about public health, especially in communities where vaccination rates fall below the 95% threshold deemed necessary to prevent outbreaks.
As vaccination efforts struggle, Oklahoma, for example, has a childhood vaccination rate of only 88.7% and saw a rise in cases last year. Local health initiatives, such as mobile vaccination units, are being implemented to address these issues, but challenges remain.
Dr. William Moss, director of the International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins University, noted, “High vaccination coverage has protected even the unvaccinated and undervaccinated because of herd protection, keeping measles at bay for the past few decades. But in communities with pockets of susceptible individuals across a broad age range, measles has been able to take hold, infecting those who are susceptible and spreading rapidly.” This statement underscores the vital importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to ensure community health.
The situation is serious enough that the Pan American Health Organization is set to review the U.S. measles status in November, with considerations to revoke the country’s “elimination” status as was done for Canada last year. Residents of Florida and neighboring states should stay informed and consider vaccination as a critical step in preventing further outbreaks.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Tim Henderson originally published by Stateline. Read the original story.
