The U.S. Public Health Service · Episode 23 of 34 · 42 min
Measles: From Universal Rite to Resurgent Threat
Before 1963 measles infected nearly every American child, and a vaccine all but erased it, with the U.S. declaring measles eliminated in 2000. A generation later that victory is coming apart. As vaccination coverage slipped in some communities, 2025 became the worst U.S. measles year in more than 30 years, and the review of elimination status was pushed to November 2026.
Who's who
- John F. EndersHarvard scientist who led the team behind the 1963 measles vaccine
- Thomas PeeblesWorked with Enders to isolate the measles virus in 1954
Timeline
- 1954Enders and Peebles isolate the measles virus
- 1963Live measles vaccine licensed
- 1971Combined MMR vaccine introduced
- 2000U.S. declares measles eliminated
- 2025Worst U.S. measles year in over 30 years, with three deaths
- November 2026Formal review of U.S. elimination status scheduled
Still debated
The causes of the resurgence, falling vaccination rates, and federal vaccine policy are subject to sharp current debate. Loss of elimination status is projected, not final, and case counts for 2025 and 2026 remain provisional.