The U.S. Just Lost Its Measles Elimination Status. Here’s Why That’s Such A Big Deal.

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After more than 12 months of continuous measles spread ― a vaccine-preventable illness ― the United States has officially lost its measles elimination status. The designation was…

After more than 12 months of continuous measles spread ― a vaccine-preventable illness ― the United States has officially lost its measles elimination status. The designation was originally awarded in 2000 to mark and celebrate the end of endemic transmission of measles.

The decision was made by a panel of international health and science experts at the Pan American Health Organization, which is an agency within the World Health Organization.

It isn’t shocking. There were measles outbreaks in several states this year, including Pennsylvania and South Carolina, a multistate outbreak that started in West Texas last year, eight measles-related deaths in the country, and a health and human services secretary (Robert F. Kennedy Jr.) who has a history of being anti-vaccine. Even still, the designation loss is a “reputational hit,” “disheartening” and “preventable,” experts told HuffPost.

Ahead, doctors and public health leaders share their honest thoughts on what this all means for you and the rest of the country.

“The fact that our measles elimination status is even up for consideration is just a stain on our reputation as a once-proud leader, global leader, in advancing health,” said Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, the director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University in Rhode Island.

“It’s a black eye for a country that really helped conceive and lead the global campaign to eliminate measles,” Nuzzo said, before adding that the Americas were the first region to achieve measles elimination.

“To return to a time period where measles once again circulates continually ... it’s hard to state how much of a step back that is,” she said.

There had been a focused effort to achieve measles elimination status, through vaccination campaigns and public health programs.

“That we are at risk of losing our elimination status, first of all, puts us into a category that is largely occupied by countries that are not our peers,” Nuzzo said.

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