WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States may lose its measles elimination status due to ongoing outbreaks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who sponsored the Vaccines Save Lives resolution earlier this year, responded to the news.

“I am both infuriated and deeply disturbed by the news that the United States could lose its measles elimination status,” said Senator Blackburn. “After five decades of vaccination implementation and nearly two decades of eradication, misguided anti-vax trends threaten to reverse this progress and put our young ones in danger. We must do everything in our power to protect our young ones from dangerous, easily-preventable diseases.

“To all Tennessee parents: as your children head back to school, please speak with your child’s doctor about implementing a safe and health-conscious vaccination schedule.”