Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella Decline in US Military Health System | Quick Digest

Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella Decline in US Military Health System | Quick Digest
Cases of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMR/V) among beneficiaries of the U.S. Military Health System declined significantly from 2019 to 2024, as reported by the European Medical Journal based on a Military Medical Surveillance Report. This decline highlights the critical role of vaccination in disease prevention.

MMR/V cases in US Military Health System declined from 2019-2024.

No measles cases among US service members during surveillance period.

Varicella constituted the largest number of reported infections.

Continued vaccination is crucial for limiting morbidity among service members.

Decline in MHS contrasts with rising civilian outbreaks in US.

Report emphasizes vaccine effectiveness in a highly vaccinated population.

A recent article in the European Medical Journal (EMJ) highlights a significant decline in cases of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMR/V) among beneficiaries of the U.S. Military Health System (MHS) between 2019 and 2024. This finding is based on a surveillance report published in the Military Medical Surveillance Report (MSMR) authored by S.L. Mabila. The report, which analyzed data from the Defense Medical Surveillance System, identified a total of 8 confirmed and 71 possible measles cases, 18 confirmed and 193 possible mumps cases, 13 confirmed and 265 possible rubella cases, and 251 confirmed and 4,554 possible varicella cases across all MHS beneficiaries during the six-year surveillance period. Crucially, a decreasing trend was observed for both confirmed and possible cases of all four infections over this timeframe. Notably, no measles cases were recorded among U.S. service members during the entire surveillance period. The study indicated that most service member cases for other MMR/V infections were either partially vaccinated or lacked available vaccination records. The authors underscore that the lower case counts among service members, who are mandated to be vaccinated, compared to non-service members, serves as strong evidence for the effectiveness of sustained vaccination efforts in mitigating disease burden. Varicella (chickenpox) accounted for the highest number of reported infections in the dataset. While the MHS demonstrated a decline in MMR/V cases, the report provides important context by noting that the civilian population in the United States has experienced an increase in MMR/V outbreaks in recent years, with the U.S. seeing more measles cases in 2025 than in over 30 years. This contrast further emphasizes the critical role of comprehensive vaccination programs within the military setting. The study reinforces the importance of continuous vaccination against MMR/V to protect the health of service members and reduce morbidity.
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