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CDC: “Measles Elimination Status” Could End in U.S.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned on May 30, 2019 that, if the current measles outbreak continues, the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status that has been in effect since 2000. According to the agency: “If these outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the United States may lose its measles elimination status. That loss would be a huge blow for the nation and erase the hard work done by all levels of public health.”1 2 3

In a press release, the CDC stated, “We were able to eliminate measles in the United States for two main reasons: Availability and widespread use of a safe and highly effective measles vaccine and strong public health infrastructure to detect and contain measles.” It added, “The measles elimination goal, first announced in 1966 and accomplished in 2000, was a monumental task.3

The CDC did not elaborate on the consequences of losing its status as a country that has eliminated measles. Neither did it explain the apparent inconsistency in its remarks, given that there were 86 cases of measles in the U.S. in 2000, followed by cases of measles cases in every year since, including 211 cases in 2011, 187 in 2013, 667 in 2014, 120 in 2017, 372 in 2018 and 971 in 2019 (as of May 30).4 5 6

One indication of the significance of losing this status may have been offered by epidemiologist Robert Kezaala, MD. According to Dr. Kezaala, who is a senior health adviser to the United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, a country stands to lose its elimination status if the spread of an infectious disease lasts for a year.7

This would appear to suggest a loss of national prestige in the eyes of the international community with regard to the fight against infectious diseases through vaccination programs. As part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), one of the key goals set forth is elimination of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, including measles.

Under the GVAP, the framework for measles elimination includes verification of “the absence of endemic measles transmission in a defined geographical area (e.g. region or country) for ≥ 12 months in the presence of a well-performing surveillance system.”

Failure to meet this framework would place the U.S. alongside many developing countries where measles remains endemic.8 That seems to be the main concern, given the reality that measles may never really have been eliminated from the U.S. in the first place.


This article or commentary provides referenced information and perspective on a topic related to vaccine science, policy, law or ethics being discussed in public forums and by U.S. lawmakers. The websites of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provide information and perspective of federal agencies responsible for vaccine research, development, regulation and policymaking.

References:

1 Blumberg A. Measles Cases Reach Highest Level In U.S. In 25 Years. HuffPost May 30, 2019.
2 El-Bawab N. CDC warns US could lose measles elimination status if outbreak continues. CNBC May 30, 2019.
3 Press Release. U.S. measles cases in first five months of 2019 surpass total cases per year for past 25 years. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention May 30, 2019.
4 Cáceres M. Was Measles Really Eliminated in the U.S. in 2000? The Vaccine Reaction May 22, 2019.
5 CDC. Measles Cases and Outbreaks. CDC.gov.
6 Allyn B. New U.S. Measles Cases Break 25-Year-Old Record, Health Officials Say. NPR May 30, 2019.
7 Wu Tan S. Public health experts fear U.S. may lose measles elimination status. The Washington Times May 30, 2019.
8 World Health Organization. Global Vaccine Action Plan: Monitoring, Evaluation & Accountability. Secretariat Annual Report 2018.

11 Responses

  1. As with all vax-quack talking points the level of logic regarding this “1000 cases” is beyond absurd. The Measles rash lasts a week at most. They never mention the “active” cases.

  2. Since the CDC relies on reported cases of measles, I question the determination that was made in 2000. Most measles cases are mild and do not require a trip to the doctor so how would they get reported? I don’t see parents calling the CDC to report that their child has the measles. It certainly appears that the MMR vaccine and others are failing to provide the immunity promised. Maybe that will be how this matter resolves itself. If measles was as dangerous as they want people to believe, we should be guaranteeing all persons who enter the country until we know they don’t harbor the virus. Instead, they deny individual human/civil rights, and persecute those who fail to vaccinate. Makes no sense at all.

  3. Stem the flow of illegal immigration and the number of measles (TB, etc.) cases will drop significantly (if not altogether).

  4. In a press release, the CDC stated, “We were able to eliminate measles in the United States for two main reasons: Availability and widespread use of a safe and highly effective measles vaccine and strong public health infrastructure to detect and contain measles.”

    Safe and highly effective? Not on this planet.

  5. What about all the measles, caused by the vaccine they can’t pretend it’s not happening. Hell bent on forced vaccinations, to keep the Billion $ industry alive.
    So corrupt. ???

  6. If the CDC would do their job, we would not have a sharp rise in the number of measles cases and the frantic reaction from the ill-informed populace.

    Unvaccinated people – children and adults who travel to areas with a known measles problem – or any other communicable disease, must be quarantined upon their return to the United States. Is this not the job if the government? Protect & defend? Forcing vaccines on us because they and others behave irresponsibly, is simply wrong.

  7. Have no fear, measles elimination status has not yet been eliminated. Therefore, in the U.S. it is appropriate (not) to consider measles still “eliminated” in spite of 100’s of new cases. Indeed, if we can bring down the numbers just a little bit, measles will still have been “eliminated’ even though hundreds of new cases will continue to appear yearly. This is part of the magic of vaccination that measles can be eliminated without needing to eliminate all the cases.

    Just saying, if the disease has been eliminated, why bother vaccinating against it? Or is this just crazy talk?

  8. Measles elimination status could end? This stupid, contrived ‘status’ is more important than ending ASD and all the other vaccine-induced epidemics? The epitome of innane!

  9. Interesting post, this is something that runs deeper than just more forced vaccinations. As a previous commenter mentioned, the rise of these cases can be attributed to illegal immigration and unvaccinated people traveling back from other areas.

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