Community reminded to stay alert for measles 2-11-26
February 11, 2026
Community reminded to stay alert for measles
MOBILE, Ala. — Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County, is urging residents to stay alert as measles continues to spread in parts of the United States.
“Are we protected?” Dr. Michaels asks. “This past year, more than 2,200 measles cases have been reported across the country, with over 90 percent occurring in people who were unvaccinated, under‑vaccinated, or whose vaccination status was unknown. There have been three confirmed deaths and 246 hospitalizations for supportive care.”
While Texas has declared its large 2025 outbreak over, South Carolina is now facing one of the largest measles outbreaks in recent U.S. history, with more than 800 confirmed cases, the vast majority in unvaccinated individuals. These events show how quickly measles can spread when vaccination coverage is low.
Several U.S. measles cases have been linked to travel, involving people who were infected outside the United States and then returned home without realizing they were carrying the virus. Because measles is highly contagious and spreads easily in schools, workplaces, and other public settings, even a few travel‑related cases can ignite local outbreaks—especially in communities with lower vaccination rates.
“This is a powerful reminder that borders, and state lines cannot contain infectious diseases,” said Dr. Michaels. “A single travel‑related case can have serious consequences for an entire region, as we have seen in Texas and now South Carolina. Vaccination remains our strongest defense, protecting individuals and the wider community by preventing transmission.”
The Mobile County Health Department encourages everyone to review their immunization status, especially before traveling, and to talk with their healthcare provider about staying up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles. The recommended schedule is a first dose at 12–15 months of age and a second dose at 4–6 years of age. Adults without evidence of immunity generally need 1–2 doses, particularly if they are travelers, healthcare workers, or college students.
The MMR vaccine should be coordinated through the patients’ healthcare provider. Vaccine is available in the clinic or at many pharmacies across the county. If you don’t have a primary care provider visit one of the four Community Health Centers available in Mobile County: Family Health, Franklin Health Clinic, Mostellar Health Clinic and Accordia Health.
By staying current on vaccination, you are protecting yourself, your loved ones, and the health of our community.