History of Measles vaccine in Timeline

Measles vaccine provides protection against measles. A single dose provides immunity for most, and a second dose typically ensures immunity for nearly everyone. High vaccination rates (above 92%) within a population prevent outbreaks, but outbreaks can recur if vaccination rates decline. The vaccine's effectiveness is long-lasting, though it's unclear if effectiveness diminishes over time. The vaccine can also provide protection if administered within a few days of exposure to the measles virus.

1900: Child mortality rate

In the mid-20th century, measles was particularly devastating in West Africa, where child mortality rate was 50 percent before age five, and the children were struck with the type of rash and other symptoms common prior to 1900 in England and other countries.

1954: Enders Shares Nobel Prize

John Franklin Enders, who had shared the 1954 Nobel Prize in Medicine for work on the polio virus.

1960: First Trial of Live Attenuated Measles Vaccine

In 1960, the first trial of a live attenuated measles vaccine was undertaken by the British paediatrician David Morley in a village near Ilesha, Nigeria.

October 1962: Larger Measles Vaccine Trial in New York City

In October 1962, a larger trial was undertaken in New York City with the assistance of the WHO. The trial confirmed that the "further attenuated" vaccine was superior to the Edmonston B vaccine, and caused significantly fewer instances of fever and diarrhea.

1963: Introduction of Measles Vaccines in the United States

Following the introduction of two measles vaccines in 1963, reported cases in the United States fell from 3-4 million with 400-500 deaths, to tens of thousands per year. Both an inactivated and a live attenuated vaccine (Edmonston B strain) were licensed for use.

1963: Enders Develops Measles Vaccine

In 1963, Enders developed a measles vaccine by attenuation through cultured chicken embryo fibroblasts of the material isolated by Peebles.

1963: First Measles Vaccine Introduced

In 1963, the Edmonston-B strain of measles virus was developed into a vaccine by John Enders and colleagues and licensed in the United States.

1968: Improved Measles Vaccine Developed

In 1968, Maurice Hilleman and colleagues developed an improved, weaker measles vaccine that began distribution and became the only measles vaccine used in the United States.

1971: Increased Vaccine Uptake Following Outbreaks

Following outbreaks in 1971, there was increasing uptake of the measles vaccine.

1971: MMR Vaccine Developed

In 1971, Maurice Hilleman at Merck & Co. developed the MMR vaccine, which vaccinates against measles, mumps and rubella in a single shot followed by a booster. One form is called "Attenuvax".

1977: Increased Vaccine Uptake Following Outbreaks

Following outbreaks in 1977, there was increasing uptake of the measles vaccine.

1990: Renewed Push for Vaccination

In 1990, an outbreak of almost 30,000 measles cases led to a renewed push for vaccination and the addition of a second vaccine dose to the recommended schedule.

1997: Low Measles Cases Reported

From 1997 to 2013, no more than 220 cases were reported in any year in the United States, and the disease was believed to be no longer endemic.

1998: Publication of Fraudulent Lancet Paper

In 1998, Andrew Wakefield et al. published a now retracted and fraudulent "The Lancet" paper linking the MMR vaccine to autism, leading to a decline in vaccination rates.

1999: WHO and UNICEF Strategy

From 1999 to 2004 a strategy led by the WHO and UNICEF led to improvements in measles vaccination coverage.

2000: Measles Vaccination Averted Deaths

According to a World Health Organization report, measles vaccination averted 57 million deaths between 2000 and 2022.

2000: Measles Eliminated from the U.S.

Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, however, high vaccination rates are still needed to prevent outbreaks.

2004: WHO and UNICEF Strategy

From 1999 to 2004 a strategy led by the WHO and UNICEF led to improvements in measles vaccination coverage that averted an estimated 1.4 million measles deaths worldwide.

2005: Measles Outbreak in the U.S.

In 2005, 66 cases of measles were reported in the U.S., slightly over half were attributable to one unvaccinated teenager who became infected during a visit to Romania, resulting in an outbreak that infected 34 people.

October 2009: Merck Discontinues Standalone Attenuvax Production

Following ACIP recommendations, Merck decided not to resume production of Attenuvax as standalone vaccine on 21 October 2009.

2013: Low Measles Cases Reported

From 1997 to 2013, no more than 220 cases were reported in any year in the United States, and the disease was believed to be no longer endemic.

2014: Measles Cases Reported

In 2014, 667 cases of measles were reported in the United States.

2018: Global Vaccination Coverage

As of 2018, about 86% of children globally had received at least one dose of the measles vaccine.

2019: Concerns Raised About Unvaccinated Students

According to a 2019 Los Angeles Times article, concerns were raised about unvaccinated students contributing to the large number of measles outbreaks.

2019: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statement

When addressing the major U.S. measles outbreak in 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that outbreaks are more likely in areas with pockets of unvaccinated residents.

2021: Two-Dose Immunization

In 2021, at least 183 countries included two doses of the measles vaccine in their routine immunization schedules.

2022: Measles Vaccine Uptake Impacts Income

A 2022 study in the American Economic Journal found that the measles vaccine uptake led to increases in income of 1.1 percent and positive effects on employment due to greater productivity by those who were vaccinated.

2022: Measles Vaccination Averted Deaths

According to a World Health Organization report, measles vaccination averted 57 million deaths between 2000 and 2022.

February 2025: Agency Declined to Publicize Expert Assessment

During the U.S. outbreak beginning in February 2025, the agency declined to publicize their updated expert assessment and forecasting model, thereby choosing not to alert clinicians and the public of being at specific risk in areas with low immunization rates.

2025: Kennedy Sends MMR Vaccine to Texas

On 28 February, during the 2025 Southwest US measles outbreak, Robert F. Kennedy Jr announced that he would be sending 2,000 doses of the MMR vaccine to Texas along with other resources.