In a concerning development, a joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that 22 million children in Pakistan missed their first measles vaccine dose in 2022. This alarming statistic contributed to an 18% increase in measles cases and a staggering 43% rise in deaths compared to the previous year.
The global impact of measles remains a significant threat, with 37 countries experiencing large or disruptive outbreaks in 2022, up from 22 countries in 2021. Out of these outbreaks, 28 occurred 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, commented on the increase in measles outbreaks, stating, “Measles cases anywhere pose a risk to all countries and communities where people are under-vaccinated. Urgent, targeted efforts are critical to prevent measles disease and deaths.”
Measles is a preventable disease through two doses of vaccination, yet approximately 33 million children worldwide missed a measles vaccine dose in 2022. This includes nearly 22 million who missed the first dose and 11 million who missed the second dose. The global vaccine coverage rate for the first dose stands at 83%, while the second dose coverage is at 74%, both well below the recommended 95% coverage needed to protect communities from outbreaks.
Low-income countries, where the risk of death from measles is highest, continue to struggle with vaccination rates, standing at only 66%. Notably, half of the children who missed their first dose belong to ten countries, including Pakistan. Other countries on the list are Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
Kate O’Brien, WHO Director for Immunization, Vaccine, and Biologicals, emphasized the lack of recovery in measles vaccine coverage in low-income countries following the pandemic as a cause for concern. She highlighted that measles is a disease that attacks those who aren’t protected.
As the global community grapples with the resurgence of measles, there is a growing urgency to prioritize vaccination efforts, especially in countries with lower coverage rates. The report underscores the need for coordinated global action to address declining vaccination rates and prevent the further spread of measles, which poses a serious threat to children’s health worldwide.
