The global measles vaccination coverage has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels, leading to a 20% increase in measles cases in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The resurgence of measles cases due to the pandemic setback is impeding efforts to eradicate measles worldwide, putting children, especially those under the age of 5, at risk of a potentially fatal disease. Natasha Crowcroft, the WHO’s senior technical adviser for measles and rubella, emphasized the preventable nature of measles during a press conference discussing the report published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
In 2023, a total of 10.3 million measles cases were reported globally, with most regions experiencing an increase in cases. Only the Americas and the eastern Mediterranean region saw a decline in measles cases. Although the number of deaths from measles decreased by 8% from the previous year to 107,500, the distribution of cases in low-income countries and conflict zones increases the likelihood of fatalities due to malnutrition and limited access to healthcare.
Measles, a highly contagious disease, presents with symptoms such as high fever and a characteristic rash. While most individuals recover from measles, severe complications can arise, including hospitalization, pneumonia, and encephalitis (brain swelling) in rare cases, leading to permanent neurological damage.
The measles vaccine is highly effective but requires two doses for optimal protection. In 2023, 83% of eligible children globally received the first dose of the measles vaccine, but only 74% received the second dose, falling short of the necessary coverage to prevent measles transmission. Crowcroft highlighted that more than 22 million children who should have been vaccinated in 2023 did not receive any doses of the vaccine.
Despite the commitment of all six WHO regions to eliminate measles transmission, only the Americas region has achieved measles-free status. However, sustaining political attention and global efforts to combat measles remains challenging, particularly in the current economic climate.
Crowcroft emphasized the need for a concerted global effort to reach every child with the measles vaccine, acknowledging the increasing difficulty for countries to make progress in the current economic context. The ongoing battle against measles underscores the importance of vaccination campaigns and healthcare infrastructure to protect vulnerable populations from preventable diseases.
