Measles Resurgence Exposes US Vaccine Policy Risks, Experts Warn

The upcoming review of the US measles elimination status in November is a critical moment for federal vaccine policy.

Jesse Goodman, MD, MPH, director of the Center on Medical Product Access, Safety and Stewardship (COMPASS) and attending physician of Infectious Diseases at Georgetown University and DC Veterans Administration Hospitals, warns that the official public health designation is on the line because the virus is now actively spreading domestically.

Losing this status, held for over 20 years, means measles may no longer be a sporadic traveler-associated import but is circulating within communities. Goodman emphasizes that the real consequence is children getting sick and dying from an entirely preventable disease.¹

This policy risk comes as measles infections surge. CDC data show that 2026 is the worst year for domestic infections since the early 1990s, with over 3000 confirmed cases.^1-4

Pharmacists find themselves on the front lines of this escalating public health crisis. Seeing patients much more frequently than pediatricians, pharmacists have a unique opportunity to encourage vaccination and guide parents that are hesitant due to misinformation.^1,2

READ MORE: Declining MMR Rates Rely on Collaboration for Path Forward

Measles Outbreaks Overlapping with Federal Vaccine Change

Adding to the challenge, the federal administration has proposed eventually replacing the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine with 3 separate single-antigen shots. Goodman warns there is zero scientific reason for this shift, noting study after study has shown the combined vaccine does not cause documented harms like autism. Currently, no licensed single-antigen vaccines exist for these diseases in the US.¹

Splitting the vaccine would require manufacturers to undergo a multi-year process to redevelop production capacity, fill 3 times as many doses, and apply for new FDA licensing. Although Goodman notes pharmacists do not need to change their immunizing practices immediately, he urges them to prepare for significant patient confusion.

Implementing separate injections would complicate immunization schedules and add to the heavy workload of pharmacists. This debate occurs as national vaccine coverage continues to slide.^2-4

Coverage among kindergarteners slipped from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year to 92.4% in the 2025-2026 school year, leaving approximately 280,000 children vulnerable to the disease. Pockets of unvaccinated individuals leave entire communities exposed to this highly infectious airborne virus, which can live in the air for up to 2 hours.^1,2,4

Active Outbreaks and November's Status Review

The real-world consequences are evident in active domestic outbreaks. Large outbreaks have moved from South Carolina, where over 600 cases were confirmed, to Pennsylvania, which has reported hundreds of new cases since July.^2-4

The clinical toll is severe; in 2026, the virus has led to hospitalization for 8% of patients and caused 2 deaths in Pennsylvania. If the US loses its elimination status, Goodman warns it could also damage global perceptions, prompting other nations to warn travelers visiting the country.^3,4

Since 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, pharmacists are the most accessible health care touchpoint to combat this rising threat. In part 1 of our interview series, Thomas Lew, MD, ABIM, recommended using motivational interviewing to reduce vaccine hesitancy.¹

Grounded in science, pharmacists can address confusing messaging and direct families to pediatricians for holistic care. In part 2, Molly O'Shea, MD, FAAP, emphasized that collaborating closely with pediatricians allows pharmacists to present a unified front and rebuild herd immunity.^1,2

Listen to Goodman’s insights here and stay tuned for the full-length conversation with all 3 experts releasing this Thursday afternoon on the Over the Counter podcast.

READ MORE: How Pharmacists Can Address Measles Misinformation with Patients

REFERENCES

1. Nowosielski B, Lew T. How pharmacists can address measles misinformation with patients. Drug Topics. September 7, 2026. Accessed September 8, 2026. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/how-pharmacists-can-address-measles-misinformation-with-patients

2. Declining MMR rates rely on collaboration for path forward. Drug Topics. September 8, 2026. Accessed September 8, 2026. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/declining-mmr-rates-rely-on-collaboration-for-path-forward

3. Murphy J, Gross J, Yao M. Measles tracker: Follow cases, outbreaks and vaccination rates across the U.S. NBC News. September 4, 2026. Accessed September 8, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/track-measles-outbreak-cases-us-map-rcna198932

4. Measles cases and outbreaks. CDC. September 4, 2026. Accessed September 8, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html