Global immunisation efforts have dramatically reduced measles deaths by 88% between 2000 and 2024, preventing nearly 59 million fatalities, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, despite these gains, measles continues to pose a significant threat, with an estimated 11 million cases recorded in 2024 almost 800,000 more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
“Measles is the world's most contagious virus, and these data show once again how it will exploit any gap in our collective defences against it,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Measles does not respect borders, but when every child in every community is vaccinated against it, costly outbreaks can be avoided, lives can be saved, and this disease can be eliminated from entire nations.”
In 2024, measles cases surged by 86% in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, 47% in Europe, and 42% in South-East Asia, compared with 2019. Conversely, the African Region saw a 40% decline in cases and a 50% drop in deaths, attributed to improved immunization coverage.
While fewer deaths occur in regions with better nutrition and healthcare, those infected remain at risk of severe complications, including blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis, which can cause permanent brain damage.
Despite progress, vaccination coverage remains insufficient. WHO/UNICEF estimates show that 84% of children received their first measles dose in 2024, but only 76% received the second,well below the 95% threshold needed to halt transmission. More than 30 million children remain under-protected, primarily in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, many living in fragile, conflict-affected areas.
Growing outbreaks reflect gaps in immunization programs and weak health systems. In 2024, 59 countries reported large or disruptive outbreaks, the highest number since the COVID-19 pandemic began while surveillance improvements enabled better outbreak detection through the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, which tested over 500,000 samples, a 27% increase from 2023.
WHO warns that funding cuts to immunization programs threaten progress toward a measles-free world, emphasizing that strong political commitment and sustained investment are critical to ensure all children receive two vaccine doses and that surveillance systems can rapidly detect outbreaks.
The Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) sets global measles elimination targets, yet only 96 countries have achieved verified elimination to date.
Dr Tedros stressed the need for urgent action to strengthen routine immunization, surveillance, and high-coverage campaigns.
“Measles is often the first disease to resurge when vaccination coverage drops. Protecting every child is essential to prevent outbreaks and save lives,” he said
