Feb. 21, 2025 — Cases of measles are rising across the United States, with the largest outbreak reported in Texas.
The Texas Department of State Health Services says 90 cases have been discovered in the South Plains region of the state since late January, with 16 patients needing hospitalization.
Gaines County has reported 57 cases, the highest number in the state so far. In New Mexico, Lea County, which borders Gaines County, has reported at least eight cases of measles, the New Mexico Department of Health says. Alaska, Georgia, New York City, and Rhode Island have also reported measles cases this year.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that appears to be making a comeback as vaccination rates across the U.S. decline. In Texas, only five of the patients had been vaccinated for measles, the state health services department says.
Health experts agree that vaccination is the best way to avoid getting measles. The CDC says that two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective against measles.
The CDC recommends all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years. Unvaccinated older children should be vaccinated, the CDC recommends. It’s not only children who need the vaccine.
Adults who don’t have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, the CDC says. Some need two doses, including those who are in post-secondary educational settings, work in health care, have contact with immunocompromised people, or travel internationally.
Evidence of immunity is documentation that you’ve been vaccinated for measles or have tested positive for measles IgG antibodies or for the disease. Generally, adults born before 1957 are also considered immune to measles and don’t need a booster.
Adults born in 1957 or later should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, the CDC says. Also, a dose of measles vaccine is recommended for adults who were previously given a vaccine in the 1960s made with “killed” measles, as opposed to the live-type vaccine used today, or were given an MMR vaccine between 1963-1967 but there’s no record of what type of vaccine.
Because of the risk of birth defects, all women of childbearing age should have the MMR vaccine unless they're pregnant, have proof of immunity, or have proof of being vaccinated for rubella.
Measles cases could exceed the number reported in 2024 (285), which easily topped the number in 2023 (59), the CDC says.