VDH confirms 10th measles case of 2026, rejects CDC’s vaccine recommendations
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Measles cases in Virginia are on the rise as state health leaders renew their push for vaccinations and announce a shift in immunization guidance.
The Virginia Department of Health reported 10 confirmed measles cases so far this year, double the total reported in all of last year. Most exposure locations have been identified in Northern Virginia, primarily among children younger than five.
“Almost always those cases tend to be in people who have traveled internationally who might not be vaccinated and then come home and unknowingly bring measles with them,” said Dr. Laurie Forlano, the state epidemiologist. “It might be that people in Northern Virginia are more apt to travel, or just happened to have traveled recently.”
Dr. Forlano said the cases do not constitute an outbreak since they are not connected.
“Whenever we see a case of a vaccine preventable disease or several cases like we are right now, for me that is a really good reminder of the importance of vaccines and their power to prevent communicable disease,” she said.
The rise in cases comes as the health department announced it will not follow vaccine schedule guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last month, the CDC reduced the number of recommended vaccines from 17 to 11. Instead, Virginia will align with the immunization schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“When we looked at the schedules, it protected against 18 diseases versus the now 11 diseases from the CDC schedule,” Forlano said. “So, we wanted to support and affirm our support for the APA schedule. We want to maximize the protection not only for kids, but for their families, their communities, and for those people that can’t be vaccinated.”
The department said the change does not affect Virginia’s vaccine requirements for school attendance. Parents seeking more information about the updated recommendations can visit the immunization page of the Virginia Department of Health’s website.
