The global threat of measles continues to escalate, with millions of children remaining unvaccinated for yet another year.
A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals an alarming 18% increase in measles cases and a staggering 43% rise in deaths worldwide in 2022 compared to the previous year, reaching an estimated 9 million cases and 136,000 deaths, predominantly affecting children.
Measles remains an increasingly formidable menace to children, as 37 countries grappled with substantial or disruptive outbreaks in 2022, up from 22 in 2021. Among the nations facing outbreaks, 28 were in the WHO Region for Africa, six in the Eastern Mediterranean, two in South-East Asia, and one in the European Region.
John Vertefeuille, director of CDC’s Global Immunization Division, notes, “The surge in measles outbreaks and fatalities is alarming but unfortunately expected, given the decline in vaccination rates witnessed in recent years. Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities with under-vaccinated populations. Urgent, targeted efforts are crucial to prevent measles-related diseases and deaths.”
Despite a modest uptick in global vaccination coverage in 2022 compared to 2021, 33 million children missed a measles vaccine dose, with nearly 22 million missing their first dose and an additional 11 million missing the second. Global vaccine coverage rates for the first and second doses, at 83% and 74% respectively, fell significantly short of the recommended 95% coverage with two doses necessary for community protection against outbreaks.
Low-income countries, where measles-related mortality risk is highest, continue to exhibit the lowest vaccination rates at just 66%, showing no recovery from the setbacks during the pandemic. Of the 22 million children missing their first measles vaccine dose in 2022, over half reside in ten countries: Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Kate O’Brien, WHO Director for Immunization, Vaccine, and Biologicals, emphasizes, “The lack of recovery in measles vaccine coverage in low-income countries post-pandemic is a call to action. Measles is aptly termed the inequity virus, as it targets those without protection. Every child, regardless of their location, deserves protection through the life-saving measles vaccine.”
The CDC and WHO jointly urge countries to identify and vaccinate all children against measles and other preventable diseases. They also call on global stakeholders to support countries in vaccinating their most vulnerable communities. Additionally, to forestall outbreaks, investments in robust surveillance systems and outbreak response capacity at the global, regional, national, and local levels are deemed essential for prompt detection and intervention.
Source: WHO