US Hospitals Report More Rotavirus Cases as 20-Year Vaccine Gains Erode
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2
US Hospitals Report More Rotavirus Cases as 20-Year Vaccine Gains Erode
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2
Doctors across the US say serious vaccine-preventable illnesses are reappearing in hospitals, including whooping cough, rotavirus and bacterial infections that can lead to pneumonia or meningitis.
20 years after rotavirus vaccines sharply reduced tens of thousands of annual hospitalizations, a pediatric hospitalist in Alabama said she has already treated about 4 or 5 cases this year alone — all in unvaccinated children.
Measles' nationwide resurgence has heightened concern because public health experts view the highly contagious virus as an early warning that broader vaccination declines can trigger more outbreaks.
Distrust in vaccines that grew during the Covid-19 pandemic — and was amplified by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Trump — is being linked by doctors to the rising caseload.
Beyond public distrust, how have recent cuts to health funding enabled the return of these preventable childhood diseases?
How close is the U.S. to losing its 26-year measles elimination status, and what would the consequences be?
The 2026 Rotavirus Resurgence: Declining Vaccination Rates, Policy Changes, and the Path to Recovery
Overview
In 2026, the United States saw a sharp rise in rotavirus cases, with nationwide activity climbing steadily since January and test positivity rates jumping from 3% to nearly 8%. This resurgence is especially alarming for infants and young children, who are most at risk. Before vaccines, rotavirus caused hundreds of thousands of doctor and emergency room visits, as well as thousands of hospitalizations each year. The recent increase in cases highlights the urgent need to maintain high vaccination rates and strong public health policies to protect children from severe illness and prevent a return to the high disease burden of the past.