According to recent information released by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), an investigation is currently underway in Lee County concerning a reported case of measles involving an individual who was “not yet eligible for the vaccine.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) between the ages of 12 and 15 months to ensure optimal protection against these diseases.
In a statement released on Sunday, the ADPH announced its collaboration with local medical providers to identify any other unvaccinated individuals who may require the MMR vaccine. The statement emphasized that, given the high vaccination rates among eligible Alabamians, the risk of a measles outbreak remains low. However, it noted that some individuals will need to be vaccinated as part of this ongoing investigation.
Dr. Karen Landers, the Chief Medical Officer and pediatrician at ADPH, reinforced the importance of the measles vaccine, stating, “The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective in producing lifelong immunity against this potentially deadly disease.” She urged citizens to protect themselves and their communities by ensuring that all eligible individuals receive the vaccine.
This news comes as the nation faces the largest surge of measles cases in many years. The disease was declared eliminated in the United States in the year 2000. However, the CDC has issued warnings that “despite high population immunity from routine MMR vaccination, declining immunization rates among school-aged children and communities with low vaccination coverage threaten the resurgence of measles, along with its potentially serious complications.”
As of June 5, the CDC reported a total of 1,168 confirmed cases of measles across 34 jurisdictions, excluding the suspected case in Alabama. Among these cases, 137 individuals were hospitalized, and tragically, three died; notably, 95% of the affected patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Fortunately, Alabama reported no measles cases in 2023 and 2024.
While the exact date of Alabama's last outbreak remains unclear, it is believed to date back to 2002, when an infant who had recently returned from the Philippines sparked about a dozen cases, primarily affecting unvaccinated infants at a daycare center. Prior to this, a significant outbreak occurred in 1989, resulting in 61 reported cases.
In a report issued in February 2025, State Health Officer Scott Harris highlighted the serious historical impact of measles, noting that it was once among the leading causes of death in the state, with 41 deaths recorded in 1953 and 13 in 1964. The CDC categorizes measles as “the most highly contagious febrile rash illness,” with the potential to infect up to 90% of susceptible close contacts, leading to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. This underscores the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to protect public health.
