Amid expanding measles outbreaks across several states, a top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested on Tuesday that the potential loss of the nation’s measles elimination status is not a primary concern.
Current Outbreak Data The United States is experiencing its most significant measles resurgence in decades:
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2025 Statistics: 2,242 cases were reported, the highest annual count since 1991.
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Regional Outbreaks: South Carolina is currently managing an active cluster of at least 646 cases, following a major outbreak in West Texas last year that totaled roughly 760 cases.
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Vaccination Gaps: CDC data shows that 95% of cases recorded so far in 2026 occurred in individuals who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
CDC Leadership Perspective Dr. Ralph Abraham, the CDC’s Principal Deputy Director, stated that losing the “elimination” status—a designation held by the U.S. since 2000—would “not really” be a significant loss.
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Dr. Abraham argued that a change in status would not alter essential elimination strategies or necessarily indicate widespread transmission.
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He emphasized a policy of supporting “personal freedom” for communities that choose to remain unvaccinated and noted that the agency is open to exploring alternative prevention and treatment methods.
Public Health Backlash This stance has met with sharp criticism from other medical professionals and leaders. Hawaii Governor Josh Green characterized the current situation as “public health malpractice,” warning that undermined confidence in immunizations is directly contributing to preventable illnesses. Experts noted that for the fifth consecutive year, MMR vaccine coverage among kindergartners has remained below the federal 95% target, increasing the risk of community transmission.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/20/health/cdc-south-carolina-measles-briefing