Maintaining high childhood vaccination rates is key to preventing measles outbreaks, state health experts say, as cases have seen an uptick in Northern Virginia and across the country this year.
In the first two months of 2026, Virginia has confirmed 10 cases of measles — double the total cases recorded last year — and nine of them have been in the northern region, with exposures reported in Alexandria, Fairfax County and surrounding areas.
However, Meredith Robinson, a disease epidemiologist at the Virginia Department of Health, told ALXnow that state health officials “don’t have concerns of widespread community transmission,” as about 95% of kindergarteners statewide are vaccinated for the disease — the recommended percentage to provide herd immunity. Instead, “we are continuing to see sporadic cases associated with travel,” Robinson said.
“Fortunately in Virginia, most kindergarteners are vaccinated, so we can feel confident that many communities have a high amount of protection that would help with breaking chains of transmission that could occur after people come back and visit a public space,” Robinson said. “The biggest risk is individuals who then travel to communities with low vaccination coverage. Measles can spread really easily.”
While Virginia’s vaccination rate is high, it varies from locality to locality. An NBC4 Washington investigation in September found that Alexandria’s measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine rates in kindergarteners had dropped to 88% since 2019 — an outlier in the region, compared to rates of 98% in Arlington County, 96% in Fairfax County, and 93% in D.C.
“Last year, Alexandria Health Department noticed the school-reported rate (88%) was lower than the state’s [Virginia Immunization Information System] data,” AHD told ALXnow. “So, AHD and Alexandria City Public Schools have spent the past year working together closely to make sure data is being reported to accurately capture student’s vaccine histories moving forward. This year’s school data isn’t available yet.”
While NBC 4’s data shows an 88% vaccine rate among Alexandria kindergarteners, the Virginia Immunization Information System shows that vaccination rates among their 7-year-old peers stands at 95%.
“The 88% rate comes from last year’s school reports pulled at the beginning of the school year,” AHD said said. “The reports are a snapshot of data in time and, sometimes, reporting variances can mean that the data from the schools doesn’t match the state’s vaccine records. Still, AHD sometimes uses these records to look out for any schools with lower rates in case targeted support is needed to get kids the vaccines they need.”
Out of Virginia’s 10 measles cases so far in 2026, six cases involved patients age 0-4 and four involved adults 18 and older.
Robinson said recent upticks in Virginia’s measles cases can be attributed to a few factors. The disease is experiencing historic highs in the United States and abroad, and some experts warn the country could lose its measles elimination status, as recent outbreaks hit South Carolina and Texas.
The country is also coming off the recent holiday traveling season, and Northern Virginia is nestled in a highly transient metropolitan area.
“It’s a similar level of risk that any metropolitan area is going to have,” Robinson said. “We’re seeing exposures in Northern Virginia primarily due to the high level of travel just through that area.”
Robinson emphasized that people who have been vaccinated for measles, were born before 1957 or have had measles before are considered protected from potential exposures.
Those considered unprotected are instructed to monitor for symptoms for 21 days post-exposure, which include a fever over 101 degrees, a cough, rash and red, watery eyes.
Robinson said it’s critical for exposed persons to promptly report it to VDH or their local health department so authorities can coordinate potentially life-saving responses.
“If it’s an infant who’s unvaccinated and their parent is reporting the family was exposed, the health department can follow up with them immediately to talk about what symptoms to look for, provide quarantine guidance if they need to,” Robinson said. “If it’s within a certain amount of time … they can provide post-exposure prophylaxis to those individuals.”
The MMR vaccine can be given within three days of exposure as a preventative measure, and immune globulin can be given within six days post-exposure to those unable to receive a vaccine, such as pregnant or immunocompromised people.
Looking ahead, Robinson said VDH is “definitely preparing for any additional cases that might occur” in Virginia.
“But, at this time, [I’m] pleased to say there’s not an outbreak happening,” she said.
