Communications

(Jan. 30, 2025) – The U.S. eliminated measles in 2000 due to high immunization rates. However, with more than 2,200 measles cases in the U.S. during 2025, including 91 cases in Kansas, the U.S. is at risk of losing its measles elimination status. As of Jan. 22, 416 confirmed measles cases had been reported in the U.S. in 2026. According to KDHE's Kindergarten Immunization Data, measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates for Kansas kindergartners dropped from 94.47 percent in the 2019–2020 academic year to 90.59 percent in the 2024 – 2025 academic year. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Community Immunity Threshold for measles is 92–94 percent. This means that 92–94 percent of a population must be immune to measles to prevent or limit the spread in the community.

Kansas MMR immunization rates for kindergartners fell below the threshold in 2021. KDHE's Kindergarten Immunization Data shows some Kansas counties have MMR vaccination rates for kindergartners below 75 percent. More than 25 years after eradicating measles, the U.S. is on the brink of losing that distinction. The AAP recommends routine vaccination against measles and early vaccination during special circumstances. The AAP has created the AAP Vaccination Across America Map, updated weekly, to compare states' immunization data with national averages. In addition to the AAP, the American Academy of Family Physicians has a measles resources page to support providers, and Immunize Kansas Coalition's Measles / MMR Resource Hub includes a social media toolkit and an "Ask a Doctor" series featuring Gretchen Homan, MD, FAAP, answering common questions about measles and the MMR vaccine.
--Karen Braman