Texas physicians are encouraging parents to make sure their children are up to date on recommended vaccinations before the start of the new school year, citing an increase in measles cases nationwide.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2,318 measles cases have been reported in the United States so far this year, surpassing the total number reported in all of 2025. Cases have been confirmed in 45 jurisdictions, including Texas.
During last year's measles outbreak in West Texas, more than 94% of people who became ill were not known to be vaccinated, according to the Texas Medical Association.
'Vaccinations help keep your child healthy and help keep the rest of the classroom and school healthy too,' said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, chair of the Texas Medical Association's Council on Science and Public Health.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that the percentage of kindergarten students vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella increased slightly to 93.3% during the 2025-26 school year, while vaccination rates among seventh graders declined slightly.
State health officials recommend two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as the best protection against measles. The vaccine is among those required for children attending school in Texas, with exemptions allowed under state law.
Ocaranza encouraged parents with questions about vaccines to discuss them with their physician.
'If you have any questions or if you read something online, talk to your physician,' he said. 'They can translate science into something that is very easily understandable.'
The reminder comes as the Texas Department of State Health Services issued a health alert after four measles cases were confirmed in unvaccinated members of the same family in Montgomery County. State officials said the infections were linked to a traveler who brought measles into Texas from another state.
Because measles is highly contagious, health officials said additional cases could occur among unvaccinated people in the area. The virus spreads through coughing, sneezing or close contact with an infected person and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that begins on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
Health officials advise anyone who believes they have been exposed to measles to contact a health care provider before visiting a medical office to reduce the risk of exposing others.
In severe cases, measles can lead to complications including pneumonia, brain inflammation and, in rare cases, death.
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