Written By: Pharmacally Medical News Desk
Measles continues to pose a global health challenge despite significant progress. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles deaths have fallen by 88% from 780,000 in 2000 to about 95,000 in 2024, saving an estimated 59 million lives through vaccination efforts. However, the disease remains a threat as measles cases surged 8% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels to 11 million in 2024, highlighting persistent immunity gaps among children worldwide.
Global immunization coverage has improved slightly post-pandemic, with 84% of children receiving the first dose of the measles vaccine and 76% receiving the second in 2024. Despite this progress, these rates fall short of the 95% coverage needed for herd immunity and elimination of measles transmission. Over 30 million children, predominantly in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, remain under-protected, many residing in fragile or conflict-affected settings. Supplementary immunization campaigns in 2024 reached 133 million people across 53 countries, contributing to reductions in measles cases and deaths, especially in Africa where cases decreased by 40% and deaths by 50% compared with 2019.
The measles burden shows marked regional disparities. The Eastern Mediterranean Region experienced an 86% increase in cases and a 71% rise in deaths in 2024, contrasting sharply with the African Region’s decline. Additionally, 59 countries faced large outbreaks during 2024 the highest incidence since the COVID-19 pandemic onset. Meanwhile, the Americas region was the only WHO region to avoid outbreaks in 2024 and regained verified measles elimination status through Brazil’s efforts. As of late 2025, 96 countries worldwide have been verified as measles-free, a significant increase that includes first-time African countries such as Cabo Verde, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
WHO leaders emphasize that measles remains the world’s most contagious virus and can quickly exploit any immunization gaps. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that maintaining vaccination coverage and rapid outbreak response are critical to avoid costly epidemics.
Diana Chang Blanc, head of WHO’s Essential Programme on Immunization, highlighted the necessity of the second dose for achieving 95% vaccine effectiveness and lasting immunity.
Kate O’Brien, WHO Immunization Director, described measles outbreaks as a fire alarm signaling weaknesses in health systems and immunization programs. Experts also warn that sustained funding cuts and access issues, rather than only misinformation, threaten progress particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas where most unvaccinated children live. To accelerate measles elimination efforts, political commitment, increased investment in countries’ routine immunization and surveillance systems, and targeted campaigns remain essential.
In summary, while measles vaccination programs have dramatically reduced deaths globally, rising case numbers and regional outbreaks underscore the need for intensified efforts to close immunity gaps, strengthen surveillance, and secure sustainable financing to achieve measles elimination goals by 2030.
References
Sebastien Antoni et al, Progress towards measles elimination-worldwide, 2000–2024, World Health Organization, 28 November 2025, 100th year, No 48, 2025, 100, 591–604.
Measles cases are surging, making global elimination a ‘distant goal,’ WHO says, CNN Health, 28 November 2025, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/28/health/measles-elimination-who-report
Measles deaths down 88% since 2000, but cases surge, WHO, 28 November 2025, https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2025-measles-deaths-down-88–since-2000–but-cases-surge
Global Measles Outbreaks, US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,12 November 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/global-measles-vaccination/data-research/global-measles-outbreaks/index.html