The global fight against measles has experienced a setback, with a significant increase in cases and deaths reported in 2022. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles cases rose by 18% to an estimated 9 million, and deaths increased to 136,000, primarily among children. This surge in measles cases and deaths is attributed to a decline in vaccination rates, particularly in low-income countries, with over 33 million children missing vaccinations.
The measles-containing vaccine (MCV) coverage declined during the COVID-19 pandemic to the lowest levels since 2008, and measles surveillance was suboptimal. Despite this setback, it's important to note that during the period from 2000 to 2022, estimated measles vaccination prevented approximately 57 million deaths worldwide.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is most common in children under 5 and can lead to severe complications such as encephalitis, severe dehydration, serious breathing problems, and pneumonia, which can result in death. However, measles is preventable with two doses of vaccine. In 2022, 22 million children worldwide missed their first dose, and an additional 11 million missed their second dose.
In the United States, 41 measles cases have been reported in more than a dozen states, with most cases among young people who were not vaccinated. An estimated 92% of American adolescents aged 13-17 were vaccinated against measles in 2019, but a vaccination coverage rate of 95% with both doses is necessary to protect communities from outbreaks.
The CDC and WHO are part of the Measles & Rubella Partnership, a global initiative to stop measles and rubella. This partnership also includes the American Red Cross, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, United Nations Foundation, and UNICEF.