Measles cases soar worldwide to 10.3 million amid vaccine gaps: WHO

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Atlanta / Geneva – Global measles cases surged to an estimated 10.3 million in 2023, marking a 20% increase from the previous year due to inadequate vaccination coverage, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Despite the measles vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing infection with two doses, more than 22 million children missed their first dose in 2023. An estimated 83% of children worldwide received their first dose, but only 74% were given the recommended second dose. WHO and CDC officials stressed that 95% coverage with two doses is needed in every country and community to prevent outbreaks of measles, one of the world’s most contagious viruses.

“Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunization for every person, no matter where they live.”

CDC Director Mandy Cohen echoed these concerns, emphasizing that “the number of measles infections is rising around the globe, endangering lives and health. The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access.”

Global vaccination gaps have led to large or disruptive measles outbreaks in 57 countries in 2023, impacting every region except the Americas—a sharp increase from 36 countries the year before. Regions facing the most significant surges include WHO’s African, Eastern Mediterranean, European, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions, with nearly half of the large outbreaks occurring in Africa.

The data indicate an estimated 107,500 people, primarily children under five, died from measles last year, an 8% decrease from the previous year. This slight reduction in mortality is attributed to the fact that recent case surges occurred in areas where children have better nutrition and health services, reducing the likelihood of fatality. However, survivors are often left with severe complications, including blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis, which can lead to lifelong disabilities.

The rise in cases threatens the global elimination goal set by the Immunization Agenda 2030. At the end of 2023, 82 countries had achieved or maintained measles elimination, with Brazil recently reverified, making the WHO Americas Region once again free of endemic measles. However, WHO officials warned that urgent efforts, particularly in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, are needed to reach children in vulnerable and conflict-affected settings.

To support these efforts, countries and global partners are urged to bolster routine immunization programs, conduct high-quality vaccination campaigns, and strengthen surveillance through the Global Measles Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN). Enhanced surveillance is essential to rapidly detect and control outbreaks, limiting their impact on public health.

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