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Paul Offit

Paul Offit

Director, Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Appears in 1 story

Notable Quotes

"When you hear somebody like Abraham say 'the cost of doing business,' how can you be more callous. Three people died of measles last year in this country." — January 20, 2026

"We eliminated this virus in the year 2000—eliminated it. Eliminated circulation of the most contagious human infection. That was something to be proud of." — January 20, 2026

"Whenever there is an erosion in vaccination rates, the first disease to come back is measles. It is the canary in the coal mine." — 2025

Stories

America's measles elimination status at risk

Rule Changes

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The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000—the culmination of decades of vaccination campaigns against the most contagious virus known to infect humans. On January 22, 2026, that achievement formally entered jeopardy when the country passed one year and two days of continuous transmission starting in West Texas. As of mid-February 2026, the crisis has accelerated with CDC confirming 910 cases across 24 states so far this year—90% outbreak-associated—while South Carolina's outbreak exploded to 950 cases by February 13, prompting a looming April PAHO review likely to revoke elimination status.

Updated Feb 15