Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip
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Virginia health officials are reporting a rise in measles cases as vaccination rates in most localities fall below the threshold experts say is needed to prevent outbreaks.
Why it matters: The state has already reported 10 cases this year, which is double the total recorded in 2025.
Zoom in: Nearly all of those cases are from Northern Virginia, including two that the Virginia Department of Health confirmed last week.
- Six of them are among children younger than 5.
By the numbers: The CDC recommends two doses of the measles vaccine for children by age 6 and a 95% vaccination coverage rate for the highest level of protection against spread.
- But recent VDH data updated last week shows the two-dose rate for 5-year-olds statewide is at 73% — though the rate rises to 86% by age 7.
- Among 5-year-olds in the Richmond area, only Richmond (80%) and Petersburg (75%) are above 70%.
- Some of the lowest rates: Goochland (63%) and Hanover (66%).
The intrigue: First-dose coverage in Virginia is much higher, with about 95% of five-year-olds meeting that mark statewide, per VDH.
- Locally, Richmond and Petersburg are the only ones to hit that threshold.
Threat level: These rates are far lower than the ones recorded among Virginia kindergarteners in 2024, according to a Washington Post analysis.
- That year, dozens of Virginia cities and counties reported being above the 95% threshold.
- Dozens of others weren't, including Henrico, Chesterfield, Richmond and Petersburg. But they were close.
- And Goochland, which now has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the area, had the highest (97%).