November 2024 – Measles cases worldwide have surged by 20% in 2023, with more than 10 million people infected, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The rise in cases has been attributed to insufficient immunization coverage, which has left large portions of the population vulnerable to outbreaks.
Key Findings from the 2023 Report
- Measles Cases: In 2023, there were an estimated 10.3 million cases of measles globally, a sharp increase from previous years.
- Measles-Related Deaths: The disease claimed 107,500 lives in 2023, primarily affecting children under the age of 5.
- Vaccine Coverage: Approximately 83% of children globally received their first dose of the measles vaccine, but only 74% received the second, recommended dose.
- Immunization Target: The report emphasizes that to prevent outbreaks, vaccination coverage must reach at least 95% for both doses of the measles vaccine, a threshold that remains unmet in many regions.
Causes of the Surge
- Low Immunization Rates: More than 22 million children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023, contributing to the sharp rise in cases. Despite the vaccine being highly effective, the coverage rate fell far below the needed threshold of 95% in many areas.
- Global Gaps in Vaccination: Inadequate access to healthcare, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions, has led to large gaps in vaccination coverage. This has resulted in widespread outbreaks in 57 countries, a significant increase from 36 countries in 2022.
- Regional Disparities: The majority of outbreaks occurred in the African region, which saw nearly 50% of the large or disruptive outbreaks in 2023, with countries like Nigeria, Somalia, and Ethiopia being heavily impacted. Other regions, like Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, also saw an uptick in cases due to challenges in maintaining routine immunization.
Impact on Child Mortality
Measles remains one of the most contagious diseases worldwide and, despite being preventable with the vaccine, continues to claim lives. In 2023, 107,500 children died from measles, though this marked an 8% decline from the previous year. The decrease was largely attributed to a reduction in deaths in areas where access to better nutrition and healthcare services has reduced mortality rates.
However, the slight improvement in death rates is overshadowed by the overall rise in measles cases, with far too many children still dying from a preventable disease, according to the WHO and CDC.
WHO’s Call to Action
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stressed the importance of immunization in combating measles:
“Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years. 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.”
Both the WHO and CDC have called for urgent action from global health leaders, particularly in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and in fragile and conflict-affected areas. The organizations emphasize the need for:
- Routine immunization programs: High-performing routine immunization services must be delivered consistently to reach as many children as possible.
- Vaccination campaigns: High-coverage campaigns that specifically target under-vaccinated populations.
- Global Coordination: Stronger collaboration between countries, international organizations, and partners to ensure timely vaccine distribution and accessibility.
Encouraging Progress in Some Regions
In a positive development, Brazil was recently reverified as having eliminated measles, making the WHO Americas Region free from endemic measles once again. By the end of 2023, 82 countries had successfully maintained or achieved measles elimination, signaling that widespread vaccination can indeed prevent the disease in certain regions.
However, the report warns that global elimination goals set under the Immunization Agenda 2030 are at risk, with increasing outbreaks threatening the progress made in some areas.
The Path Forward
To reverse the rising trend in measles cases, the WHO and CDC are calling for:
- Global commitment to higher vaccination coverage: Ensuring 95% or greater coverage for both doses of the measles vaccine in every community.
- Targeted vaccination campaigns in countries and regions that are experiencing large outbreaks or where immunization coverage remains low.
- Addressing systemic health challenges: Tackling barriers such as conflict, poverty, and limited healthcare infrastructure that impede access to life-saving vaccines.
In conclusion, the increase in measles cases globally underscores the urgent need to strengthen vaccination systems worldwide. It is crucial that countries step up efforts to vaccinate all children, especially those in the most vulnerable regions, to prevent further outbreaks and save lives.
