(CHCC) — The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation continues to closely monitor the ongoing measles activity in the United States and around the world and is reminding the community to take preventive measures against this highly contagious disease.
Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, and followed by a rash that starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Symptoms usually appear about 7 to 10 days after exposure.
As of early 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 733 confirmed measles cases across more than 20 states this year. The national case count has increased steadily, largely driven by ongoing outbreaks, including one of the largest in decades centered in South Carolina, where hundreds of cases have been reported. Public health officials note that most confirmed infections occur among unvaccinated individuals.
Measles can lead to serious health complications, especially in children under five years old and infants under one year of age — groups that are particularly vulnerable and too young to complete full vaccination series. According to CDC estimates, one out of every 20 children with measles develops pneumonia, and about one out of 1,000 may develop encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Nearly one to three out of 1,000 children who become infected with measles may die from respiratory or neurological complications if not appropriately managed. While the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has not reported recent measles cases or local outbreaks, residents and travelers may still be exposed to measles when traveling internationally or to areas in the United States experiencing ongoing transmission. Declines in measles vaccination coverage globally and in parts of the U.S. have contributed to increased outbreak risk.
The most effective way to protect against measles is vaccination with the measles-mumps-rubella or MMR vaccine. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. CHCC encourages all eligible individuals to ensure they are up to date on measles vaccination and to talk with their health care provider about immunization — particularly before travel.
The measles vaccine is routinely administered as part of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine series at 12 months of age and again at 4 years of age. Individuals who have completed the recommended two-dose series are considered fully protected and do not require a booster dose. For infants traveling to areas where measles is circulating and risk of exposure is higher, an early dose of MMR may be administered as early as nine months of age to provide temporary protection. However, this early dose does not count toward the routine two-dose series. These children must still receive the standard MMR doses at 12 months and four years of age to ensure full, long-term protection.
Community members experiencing symptoms consistent with measles should contact their primary care provider or the CHCC Emergency Room before arriving to reduce the risk of spreading infection to others.
The MMR and other vaccines are available at no-cost to individuals ages 0-18 years who have Medicaid, or no insurance through the CHCC Immunization Clinic, Children’s Clinic, Rota Health Center, and LCVA Health Center.
Vaccines are also available through the following CNMI provider locations: Medical Associates of the Pacific, Marianas Medical Center, Kagman Isla Community Health, Southern Isla Community Health, Tinian Isla Community Health, and Brabu Pharmacy. Contact these locations for their vaccine availability and eligibility requirements.
Community members can also contact the CHCC Immunization Program at (670) 236-8745, open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for inquiries on their vaccination status or for options in accessing vaccine provider locations.
For more information about measles and vaccination, visit the CDC measles information page at cdc.gov/measles/.
CHCC would like to thank the CNMI community, especially parents and caregivers for doing your part to protect our children and community members against this serious health threat.
For vaccination outreach clinics and other updates, follow CHCC on Facebook /cnmipublichealth, @cnmichcc on Instagram, its website https://www.chcc.health or call (670) 236-8745.
