Officials say global outbreaks are accelerating as millions of children remain underimmunized after years of COVID-19 disruptions linked to the pandemic.
“Measles remains one of the most contagious respiratory viruses,“, said Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHODirector of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals.
“One person can infect up to 18 others. Many people think that measles is not serious – but it is and it can be fatal. One in five infected children end up in hospital.
Last year, around 11 million people worldwide were infected, almost 800,000 more than in the pre-pandemic period. Most deaths occurred in children under five, with around 80 percent in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.
“But no child should suffer the consequences of measles,” stressed Dr O’Brien. “Two doses of vaccine provide 95 percent protection. The tragedy is that children are not protected because the system is not reaching them.”
Epidemics have tripled since 2021
Measles epidemics continue to increase sharply. In 2024, 59 countries experienced significant or disruptive outbreaks – almost three times more than in 2021 – and a quarter of them had already eliminated measles.
Only 84 percent of children worldwide received their first dose of measles vaccine last year, but only 76 percent received the crucial second dose – leaving up to 30 million children underprotected. Three-quarters of them were in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, most in conflict-affected or highly mobile communities.
“Measles does not respect borders,“said Diana Chang-Blanc, head of WHO’s essential immunization programme.A country is only protected when all children everywhere are fully vaccinated.»
Why cases are increasing
According to the WHO, three factors are behind this increase:
Pandemic era declineas health workers redirected to COVID-19 response
A large number of children without a dosenow concentrated in fragile and conflict contexts
Weak routine immunization systemseven in otherwise strong health systems
Vaccine misinformation and limited access
Dr. O’Brien also addressed vaccine misinformation, saying misrepresentations — especially online — undermine trust, but noted that gaps in access, not hesitancy, remain the biggest barrier to stopping measles.
“The biggest barrier is access, not hesitation,” she said. “Parents everywhere want the best for their children. What they need is reliable information and a health system that can reach them.»
She nonetheless called on political, community and religious leaders to “share accurate, evidence-based information,” emphasizing that trust is “the beginning, middle and end of successful vaccination programs.”
A chance to correct the situation
More than 11 million children have already been vaccinated thanks to the global “Big Catch-Up” campaign, which will continue until 2025.
But the WHO said countries need stronger surveillance, a faster response to outbreaks and renewed political commitment to achieve the goals of the 2030 Immunization Agenda.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
