Twelve confirmed measles cases this year have renewed attention on the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates across Maryland communities.
As reported by a Maryland Matters article, Maryland has reported 12 confirmed measles cases so far in 2026, four times the total reported in all of 2025, but Maryland’s high vaccination rate has prevented broader community spread. According to the Maryland Department of Health, nearly all of this year’s cases were linked to domestic or international travel and have not resulted in sustained transmission within Maryland. Experts attribute that outcome to the state’s strong vaccination coverage, with approximately 96% of residents protected against measles, meeting the level generally needed to maintain community immunity.
From the Maryland Matters article:
Approximately 96% of Marylanders have lifelong protection from measles due to being vaccinated, above the national average of 93%, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other Marylanders who have already been sick with measles are also considered immune.
While Maryland’s overall vaccination rates remain high, measles cases continue to rise nationwide. More than 2,300 cases have been confirmed across 44 states and Washington, DC, in 2026, with neighboring Virginia and Pennsylvania experiencing significant outbreaks.
From the Maryland Matters article:
Moss warns that the growing measles cases in neighboring states create a greater chance of exposure when Marylanders are visiting those regions, especially in communities with lower vaccination coverage. He says Maryland is not immune to having local transmission, said Dr. William Moss, director of the International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins University.
