Officials report that global outbreaks are increasing rapidly as millions of children remain underimmunized due to COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
“Measles is one of the most contagious respiratory viruses,” stated Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHO Director of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals. “One person can infect up to 18 others. Many underestimate measles, but it is serious and can be fatal. One in five infected children are hospitalized.”
Last year, approximately 11 million people worldwide were affected, with nearly 800,000 more cases than before the pandemic. Most deaths occurred in children under five, with about 80 percent in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.
“But no child should suffer from measles,” emphasized Dr. O’Brien. “Two vaccine doses provide 95 percent protection. The tragedy is that children aren’t protected because the system isn’t reaching them.”
Epidemics have tripled since 2021, with 59 countries experiencing significant outbreaks in 2024, almost three times more than in 2021. A quarter of these countries had already eliminated measles. Only 84 percent of children globally received their first measles vaccine dose last year, and just 76 percent received the second dose, leaving up to 30 million children underprotected, primarily in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean in conflict-affected or highly mobile communities.
“Measles knows no borders,” said Diana Chang-Blanc, head of WHO’s essential immunization programme. “A country is only protected when all children everywhere are fully vaccinated.”
The WHO identifies three main factors for the increase in cases:
- Pandemic-related declines as health workers focused on COVID-19
- A large number of unvaccinated children in fragile and conflict settings
- Weak routine immunization systems even in otherwise robust health systems
- Vaccine misinformation and limited access
Dr. O’Brien addressed vaccine misinformation, noting that while misinformation undermines trust, access gaps, not hesitancy, are the primary barriers to stopping measles. “The biggest barrier is access, not hesitation,” she said. “Parents want the best for their children. They need reliable information and a health system that can reach them.”
She called on political, community, and religious leaders to “share accurate, evidence-based information,” stressing that trust is central to successful vaccination programs.
The “Big Catch-Up” campaign has already vaccinated over 11 million children, continuing until 2025. However, the WHO states that countries need stronger surveillance, faster outbreak responses, and renewed political commitment to meet the 2030 Immunization Agenda goals.
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