Measles outbreak in South Carolina ends
The measles outbreak in South Carolina — the largest the United States has had in decades — has ended, state health officials announced Monday, reports BritPanorama.
There were nearly 1,000 confirmed cases over about six months, including at least 21 hospitalizations. No new cases associated with the outbreak have been reported in more than 42 days, the state health department stated, marking two incubation periods without any transmission.
The outbreak began in October, contributing to a record-breaking year for measles cases in the US alongside a significant outbreak in West Texas. The nation is on track to record even more cases this year, which would again make it the worst year since measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000 — a status that is now under threat.
Public health experts have attributed the rise in measles cases in the US to falling vaccination rates; over 90% of the cases in South Carolina — and nationwide — have been among those who had not received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vast majority impacted were children.
However, there are early indications that MMR vaccination rates may have increased among young children in the US.
Experts suggest that hearing about multiple large outbreaks and confronting exposures near home may have encouraged some hesitant parents to vaccinate their children, creating “cautious optimism” about a potential shift in vaccination trends.
Safe, effective vaccines
South Carolina public health leaders assert that increased vaccination coverage played a significant role in controlling the outbreak.
“Vaccination — combined with other opportunities for good, solid public health work — really can be effective, even against some of the most contagious viruses,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, deputy director and chief medical officer with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, at a news briefing.
Alongside vaccination, aggressive contact tracing, case investigation, and quarantine protocols helped “put a fire break ring around” the outbreak as it progressed through the vulnerable population, Traxler noted. However, the response cost the state approximately $2 million.
In South Carolina, tens of thousands of MMR vaccine doses were administered during the outbreak. Doses in Spartanburg County, the outbreak’s center, nearly doubled compared to the previous year, while there was a 31% increase statewide. Notably, doses given to children under 4 saw particularly large spikes.
Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that approximately 97% of 3-year-olds in the US in 2025 received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, compared to 93% in 2024.
The CDC also indicated that this increase is “consistent with a return to more typical vaccination patterns” following disruptions caused by Covid-19 that lowered vaccination coverage due to public distrust surrounding mandates and lockdowns. This marks the first time in over a decade that MMR coverage among this demographic has exceeded 95%, a crucial threshold for preventing outbreaks of the highly contagious disease.
However, some experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions from the data, as vaccinations for other childhood illnesses have not exhibited the same positive trend.
A ‘collective remembering’
Dr. Josh Williams, a pediatrician in Denver, expressed that a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases would necessitate a renewed understanding of the benefits of vaccinations. “Perhaps we’re seeing a little bit more of a collective remembering of the severity of these diseases,” he suggested, which may be driving parents to seek protection for their children.
Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, remarked on the historical context, noting that years of low case visibility led to decreased perception of measles’ severity. The recent surge, however, compels a renewed awareness.
During congressional hearings, US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced scrutiny for comments he made regarding vaccines, which some lawmakers argued exacerbated vaccine hesitancy amidst the resurgence of measles in the US. Kennedy denied being anti-vaccine, attributing the outbreaks primarily to various unrelated factors.
Critical time for continued effort
The conclusion of the outbreak and improvements in MMR coverage signal potential progress, though experts remain aware that efforts to combat measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases must persist.
As of 2026, the CDC reported 1,792 measles cases, with dozens being added weekly. An ongoing outbreak along the Utah-Arizona state line has grown to over 600 confirmed cases, and at least 22 new outbreaks have emerged this year.
South Carolina reported an additional measles case this month not linked to the broader outbreak, which nevertheless exposed over 40 individuals.
Dr. Traxler reiterated the importance of remaining vigilant against measles threats from ongoing outbreaks in other regions. The CDC’s immunization survey results are a promising sign, yet it remains crucial to align patterns of increased vaccination with broader public health messaging to avoid renewed complacency.
As public health experts emphasize, the context surrounding vaccination rates, including ongoing education and community engagement, will be pivotal in navigating future challenges in measles prevention.
