US measles cases reach 4,588 as vaccine oversight shifts

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday that 178 new cases of measles were confirmed in the United States over the past week. The agency now counts 4,588 cases for 2026, a figure that is more than double the total recorded in 2025. Health officials confirmed that the illness is currently active in at least 43 distinct outbreaks across the country.

Pennsylvania remains the hardest-hit state, with 1,338 reported cases as of Friday. South Carolina and Utah also face large-scale transmission, with each state reporting more than 500 cases. These numbers reflect an undercount, as experts note that the rash, fever, and cough associated with measles often do not immediately prompt patients to seek medical attention.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, has moved to restructure the infrastructure governing vaccine safety. In September, Reuters reported that Kennedy asked senior CDC officials to remove one measles death from the official tally after questioning whether the virus contributed to the fatality. The CDC has logged three national deaths but has not disclosed the location of the third case, creating ambiguity about whether it overlaps with Pennsylvania's count.

State authorities in Pennsylvania have reported five deaths linked to measles and are investigating a sixth. The discrepancy between state and federal tallies has drawn criticism from experts who argue the agency lacks transparency. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services announced changes to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, this week. The proposal will allow physicians to bill for reporting suspected injuries, a move that affects a database long scrutinized by both researchers and activists.

Kennedy has replaced all 17 members of the expert panel that previously assessed vaccine risks and benefits with individuals who align with his views. A court blocked the appointment of these new members in March. Since taking office, Kennedy has made several public claims, including that children receive more than 90 vaccine doses and that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine contains aborted fetal debris. He also stated that vitamin A and cod liver oil may help treat measles, a suggestion leading physicians described as misleading.

The measles vaccine maintains a 97% effectiveness rate in preventing the disease. Side effects typically include soreness at the injection site and low-grade fever. Medical data indicates that one in five unvaccinated individuals who contract the virus requires hospitalization. Between one and three people in every 1,000 infected cases die from complications related to the disease.