El Paso parents are getting a blunt back-to-school reminder: measles is no longer a disease most families can safely file away as history. With students returning and U.S. infections topping 2,300 this year, Immunize El Paso is urging families to check vaccine records now rather than discover a missing shot after the first bell. The advice is local, but the warning is national.
According to KVIA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded more than 2,300 measles cases nationwide in 2026, prompting Immunize El Paso to emphasize vaccination as the best protection for individuals and the wider community. The organization says shots remain available even as many students have already returned to class.
The CDC tracker listed 2,318 confirmed cases as of July 30 — more than the 2,289 reported in all of 2025 — making 2026 the worst U.S. measles year since 1991, according to the Associated Press. The agency says the latest counts are preliminary and notes that national kindergarten MMR coverage fell to 92.5% in the 2024-25 school year, below the roughly 95% level associated with community protection, according to CDC data.
Texas Requires Two MMR Doses For K-12 Students
For Texas families, this is also a paperwork issue with public-health stakes. The Texas Department of State Health Services says students in kindergarten through 12th grade generally need two MMR doses, with the first given on or after a child’s first birthday; students must show acceptable vaccination evidence before attending or transferring to school.
El Paso Has Already Seen Measles Cases This Year
El Paso is not approaching the warning from a standing start. In a March 5 release, the City of El Paso Department of Public Health said it had confirmed six community cases, while also reporting separate infections at local detention facilities; officials emphasized that measles spreads rapidly and that two MMR doses provide about 97% protection.
The Borderland has also seen vaccination campaigns become part of the outbreak response: Hoodline previously covered El Paso’s free MMR push during the 2025 measles surge. This year’s message from Immunize El Paso is more practical than dramatic — check the record, complete the series and make an appointment if the paperwork is missing.
Where El Paso Families Can Get Help
Immunize El Paso, a local nonprofit serving children and adults, lists vaccine services and appointment information at Immunize El Paso and says families can call (915) 533-3414; walk-ins are welcome at its Trowbridge Drive site. The City of El Paso also provides immunizations through its public health program, with appointments available at (915) 212-0200 and additional information on its immunization services page.
The CDC recommends routine MMR doses at 12-15 months and 4-6 years for children. If a record is unclear, the agency advises families to speak with a healthcare provider; during an outbreak, public health officials may recommend an additional dose for people at increased risk, according to CDC guidance.
