One case of measles is concerning. Thousands are a warning.
Our nation is experiencing the largest measles resurgence in decades—even though we have had a vaccine for more than 60 years. This year's case count has already surpassed the total reported in all of 2025, making 2026 the worst year for measles our country has experienced in decades.
For many physicians, measles is something they have read about rather than seen firsthand. That is a testament to the success of vaccination. It is also a reminder that vaccine-preventable diseases return when vaccination rates decline.
For all clinicians, this resurgence is more than a public health statistic. It is a reminder that conversations about vaccination remain among the most important forms of preventive care we provide.
Measles can spread quickly
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known. It spreads through the air and can remain in the environment even after an infected person has left the room. Patients are contagious before they know they are sick, making outbreaks especially difficult to contain. By the time the diagnosis is made, many others may already have been exposed.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Prevention remains our best medicine.
Fortunately, we have the tools to stop it.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine (PDF) has protected children and adults for decades. Two doses provide about 97% protection against measles, and the scientific evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness is extensive, consistent and clear.
Before the first measles vaccine became available in 1963, measles caused nearly 50,000 hospitalizations and 400 to 500 deaths each year nationwide. Although most people recover, measles is far from a routine childhood illness. It can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, permanent neurologic injury, blindness and death. Even healthy children can become critically ill.
Vaccination protects not only the individual patient, but also infants who are too young to be vaccinated, patients receiving chemotherapy, transplant recipients, and others with weakened immune systems who depend on high community vaccination coverage to reduce their risk of exposure.
Building confidence in vaccines
Physicians have an important role to play.
Every patient encounter is an opportunity to reinforce the value of routine immunization and answer questions with empathy, clarity and evidence. Many parents who have questions are not opposed to vaccines. They are trying to make the best decision they can for their children while navigating an overwhelming amount of conflicting information. They deserve thoughtful conversations that acknowledge their concerns and provide clear, evidence-based answers.
The patient-physician relationship remains one of our most effective tools for building confidence in vaccines.
Parents with questions about the MMR vaccine should be encouraged to raise them. Physicians should listen carefully, acknowledge their concerns and respond with evidence, compassion and respect. Shared decision-making depends on trust, and trust is built through honest conversations grounded in evidence-based science.
For parents who may be feeling uncertain, my advice is simple: Talk with your physician. Your doctor knows your child's medical history, understands the evidence behind current recommendations and can help you make informed decisions based on reliable scientific evidence.
AMA resources and advocacy
For physicians, practices and families looking for reliable information, the AMA measles resource hub offers practical, evidence-based guidance on symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, prevention, complications, reporting and outbreak response.
The AMA remains committed to supporting physicians with evidence-based resources, and by advocating for policies that preserve access to recommended childhood immunizations and strengthen confidence in science-based medical care.
Measles should not be making a comeback. The resurgence we see today reminds us that the progress we have made against vaccine-preventable diseases must not be taken for granted. Maintaining that progress requires strong public health systems, continued confidence in science and, above all, trusted conversations between physicians and patients.
Measles is a serious disease, but it is also preventable. The MMR vaccine is effective and remains our best protection. Every physician should continue recommending it with confidence, answering questions with empathy and reinforcing the importance of routine immunization at every opportunity. Every parent deserves clear, evidence-based information from a trusted physician.
Preventing measles begins with vaccination. And vaccination begins with a conversation.
