WASHINGTON, D.C. — The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported a concerning rise in measles cases worldwide, reaching an estimated 10.3 million in 2023. This represents a significant 20% increase from the previous year, largely attributed to insufficient immunization coverage across various regions.
Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, can be effectively prevented with two doses of the vaccine. Unfortunately, over 22 million children did not receive their first dose in 2023. Global vaccination coverage statistics indicate that 83% of children received their initial measles vaccine dose, while only 74% completed the recommended two-dose regimen. To avert outbreaks, a 95% coverage with both doses is essential at the national and community levels.
“Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years,” emphasized 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 added, “The number of measles infections are 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.”
The gap in vaccination has led to significant outbreaks in 57 countries in 2023, up from 36 the previous year, affecting all regions except the Americas. The African region bore the brunt, experiencing nearly half of these large outbreaks. Other severely impacted regions include Eastern Mediterranean, European, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific.
Despite a slight 8% decrease in measles-related deaths, with an estimated 107,500 fatalities mostly among children under five, the mortality rate remains unacceptably high. This decline in deaths correlates with outbreaks in regions where children have improved nutritional status and better healthcare access.
Beyond mortality, measles can cause severe complications, such as blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis, particularly affecting infants and young children. The escalating cases threaten the global ambition outlined in the Immunization Agenda 2030 to eliminate measles. As of the end of 2023, 82 countries had achieved or sustained measles elimination, with Brazil recently reconfirmed as measles-free, marking a significant achievement for the WHO Americas Region.
Urgent action is required, particularly in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, to ensure all children receive the full two-dose vaccination. This involves bolstering routine immunization programs and executing high-coverage campaigns. Furthermore, enhancing disease surveillance through networks like the Global Measles Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) is vital for optimizing immunization strategies and responding swiftly to outbreaks.
To safeguard global health, countries and partners must prioritize comprehensive vaccination campaigns and robust surveillance systems, thereby reducing the incidence of measles and protecting future generations.
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