Editor’s note:* This blog was originally published on immuware.com February 2024, with updates in March 2025, March 2026, and August 2026 to reflect the latest on the measles spread.*
Since we first published this blog in winter of 2024, measles has continued to spread, and 2026 is now on track to be the worst year for measles in the U.S. in 35 years.
Case counts tell the story. The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) latest tally, updated August 7, puts confirmed 2026 cases at 2,465 across 47 states and territories, already surpassing the 2,289 cases logged for the entirety of 2025. Per TIME’s coverage of CDC’s July case data, that’s the highest measles incidence the country has seen since 1991, when case counts topped 9,600.
The outbreak picture is just as telling. Nearly all of this year’s cases, 94%, are tied to one of the 38 new outbreaks identified so far in 2026. And per TIME, about 93% of those cases are in people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, with 7% severe enough to require hospitalization. No deaths have been reported yet in 2026, but three people died from measles in 2025, a reminder that this disease still has real teeth.
The root cause hasn’t changed either. Kindergarten MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination coverage has dropped from 95.2% in the 2019–2020 school year to 92.5% in 2024–2025, well under the 95% needed for herd immunity. That gap leaves an estimated 286,000 kindergartners exposed and gives measles the room it needs to spread. Notably, several of this year’s hardest-hit states — Utah, Arizona, and Florida — have kindergarten MMR coverage around just 88–89%. The correlation between low coverage and active outbreaks isn’t a coincidence.
All of this has underscored the urgent need to combat declining childhood vaccination rates and increasing vaccine hesitancy.
Where the outbreaks are hitting hardest
Seven states — South Carolina, Utah, Texas, Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Arizona — account for more than 84% of this year’s total cases, per Axios. South Carolina currently leads the nation with roughly 670 cases, largely carried over from a Spartanburg-area outbreak that grew into the largest the U.S. has seen in decades before ending in April. Utah now holds the largest active outbreak, with cases climbing past 500 as part of an outbreak simmering along the Utah–Arizona state line for more than a year. Florida, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Virginia round out the list, with newer outbreaks also emerging in states like Delaware and Wyoming — a reminder that even areas without a history of measles activity aren’t immune.
The comeback
Measles was considered largely under control globally for years, but recent trends tell a different story. Global outbreaks surged through the early 2020s, and the World Health Organization and CDC have documented a sustained rise in cases worldwide since then — a resurgence that set the stage for what the U.S. is experiencing now.
But why?
Despite efforts to eliminate measles, the recent resurgence can likely be attributed to declining childhood vaccination rates and the importation of the virus. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic also may play a role, leading to reduced routine vaccinations, increased vaccine hesitancy, and a decline in overall hospital employee health.
The front line of defense: Employee Health
Employee Health nurses stand at the forefront of preventing infectious diseases within healthcare facilities. And with the resurgence of measles, their role just became even more critical.
When paired with infection control nurses, these healthcare professionals form a dynamic duo dedicated to fortifying our main lines of defense — timely vaccination adherence. This collaborative effort is essential not only for individual health but also for maintaining the overall safety and integrity of the healthcare environment.
Simply put, they are the unsung heroes ensuring healthcare facilities remain safe spaces for both providers and patients alike, and we need them now more than ever.
The game-changer: employee immunization tracking
Effectively managing, monitoring, and updating an entire hospital’s staff immunization status is daunting. We get it. In fact, that’s exactly why many organizations are turning to employee immunization tracking software.
But what exactly is an employee immunization tracking software?
These software are specialized digital solutions designed to streamline and enhance the management of immunization records within organizations, particularly in healthcare settings. It automates the monitoring, recording, and management of individuals’ vaccination status within an organization.
In other words, this software plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases (measles, we’re looking at you).
So let’s dive into a few key aspects and benefits and how they specifically apply to stopping measles outbreaks once and for all.
Key features
1. Automated tracking Software automates the tracking process, eliminating the need for manual record-keeping. This ensures accuracy and reduces the risk of human errors in managing vast amounts of immunization data. This type of tracking is particularly crucial during measles outbreaks, enabling swift identification of non-compliant individuals and facilitating targeted interventions.
2. Employee notifications Various employee immunization tracking software should include notification features that alert individuals and healthcare administrators about upcoming or overdue vaccinations.
During measles outbreaks, timely notifications become essential in ensuring that healthcare workers are aware of the urgency in maintaining their immunization status.
3. Compliance reporting These software generate comprehensive reports that provide a clear overview of the immunization status of the entire workforce.
During a measles outbreak, these reports could help identify potential areas of vulnerability and enable proactive measures to contain the spread.
The benefits
1. Efficiency Automation reduces the time and effort required for manual tracking and data entry, allowing healthcare administrators to focus on critical tasks during outbreaks.
2. Record-keeping The software ensures accurate and up-to-date records, minimizing the risk of vaccination-related discrepancies or oversights.
3. Proactive management Employee immunization tracking software enables proactive management of immunization status, allowing healthcare facilities to stay ahead of potential risks during measles outbreaks.
4. Regulatory compliance The software assists organizations in adhering to regulatory requirements related to employee immunization, ensuring compliance with healthcare industry standards.
5. Accountability The inclusion of notification features encourages employees to take personal responsibility for their immunization status, contributing to a culture of accountability within the organization.
The importance of onboarding
Employee immunization tracking is not just about managing existing staff; it’s also a crucial aspect of new hire onboarding. You need a vendor that arms you with the tools to create a seamless onboarding process. This ensures new employees are up-to-date with their vaccinations and contribute to a safer environment from day one.
That’s where we come in.
The Propelus Immuware™ platform
Propelus Immuware™ goes beyond immunization tracking. Our award-winning platform encompasses various employee and occupational health programs, including health surveillance, injury and illness management, scheduling, and incident tracking. The platform’s robust reporting and intuitive dashboards provide clear insights, helping organizations navigate regulatory requirements and maintain a compliant, safe workplace.
We make vaccine management easy. We help clinicians verify and administer vaccinations efficiently while saving time and minimizing errors. This is particularly crucial in the face of measles outbreaks, where swift and accurate vaccination is paramount.
The bottom line? We believe in working smarter, not harder. You deliver quality healthcare. We do the rest.
The wrap up
In the face of the measles resurgence, healthcare organizations must prioritize the immunization of their staff. Employee health and safety, coupled with advanced software solutions like Propelus Immuware, play a crucial role in creating a safer and healthier environment for everyone. By staying proactive and leveraging technology, we can work together to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
With outbreaks concentrated in specific states and vaccination gaps varying widely by region, knowing your workforce’s immunization status — not just in aggregate, but employee by employee — has never mattered more. See how Immuware helps you track staff immunity status in real time, wherever your facilities sit relative to today’s outbreak map.