Measles returns to Alabama after 23 years, sparks urgent vaccination efforts amid nationwide surge

Alabama health officials are investigating a possible measles case in Lee County. It is seen as a rare event that could mark the state’s first case in many years. The individual involved is reportedly too young to have received the measles vaccine, raising concerns about protecting vulnerable populations.

Not yet eligible for the vaccine

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) confirmed that the person “was not yet eligible for vaccine,” referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation that children receive their first MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine dose between 12 and 15 months old.


ADPH is working closely with local healthcare providers to find other unvaccinated individuals who may need to be vaccinated to prevent further spread. “At this time, given that most eligible Alabamians are vaccinated against measles, the risk for an outbreak remains low, but some persons will need to be vaccinated as part of this investigation,” the department said.

Dr. Karen Landers, ADPH’s chief medical officer and pediatrician, stressed the importance of vaccination, saying, “The Measles vaccine is safe and highly effective in producing lifelong immunity against this potentially deadly disease. Our citizens can protect themselves and others by ensuring that all eligible persons are vaccinated.”

The news comes amid a nationwide surge of measles cases, the largest the United States has seen in years. While measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, recent years have seen a worrying rise.

The CDC reported 1,168 confirmed cases across 34 states as of June 5, with 137 hospitalizations and three deaths. Notably, 95 percent of those infected were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.

Measles after 23 years?

Alabama had no reported cases in 2023 or 2024, with the last known outbreak possibly dating back to 2002. That year, an infant returning from the Philippines unknowingly triggered a small outbreak affecting mostly unvaccinated infants at a local daycare. Before that, a larger outbreak in 1989 included 61 cases.

Severity of Measles

Measles is one of the most contagious illnesses known to humans. According to the CDC, it can infect up to 90 percent of susceptible close contacts and can cause severe complications like pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis), and even death. This is why public health officials remain vigilant.

Scott Harris, Alabama’s State Health Officer, reminded residents that measles “was once listed among our state’s leading causes of death,” with 41 deaths in 1953 alone.