A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that global immunization efforts have led to an impressive 88% drop in measles deaths from 2000 to 2024. The vaccine has saved nearly 59 million lives during this period. Despite this significant progress, an estimated 95,000 people, primarily children under five, lost their lives to measles in 2024. While this figure marks one of the lowest annual death tolls since 2000, every casualty from a preventable disease remains a pressing concern.
The report highlights a concerning surge in measles cases globally, with an estimated 11 million infections occurring in 2024—just under 800,000 more than the pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated, “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.”
Regional Variations in Measles Cases
The increase in measles cases is notably pronounced in certain WHO regions. In 2024, infections surged by 86% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 47% in Europe, and 42% in South-East Asia compared to 2019. Conversely, the African Region experienced a 40% decline in cases and a 50% drop in deaths, attributed to rising immunization coverage.
While the recent outbreaks primarily affect regions where improved nutrition and healthcare have reduced mortality rates, those infected still face serious health risks. Complications such as blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis remain potential threats. In 2024, approximately 84% of children received their first dose of the measles vaccine, and 76% received the second, according to estimates from WHO and UNICEF. This represents a slight improvement from the previous year, with 2 million more children immunized. However, achieving 95% coverage is essential to halt transmission and protect communities effectively.
Challenges in Immunization and Surveillance
Despite these gains, over 30 million children remained unprotected against measles in 2024, with three-quarters of them residing in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, often within fragile or conflict-affected areas. The Mid-Term Review of the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), released concurrently, emphasizes that measles typically resurges first when vaccination rates fall.
The data indicates growing measles outbreaks are revealing weaknesses in immunization programs and health systems worldwide, jeopardizing progress toward IA2030 targets, including the goal of measles elimination. In 2024, 59 countries reported significant or disruptive measles outbreaks, nearly triple the number reported in 2021 and the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Notably, all regions except the Americas experienced large outbreaks.
While efforts to enhance measles surveillance have improved response capabilities, severe funding cuts affecting the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) and national immunization programs are raising concerns about widening immunity gaps. More than 760 laboratories within GMRLN tested over 500,000 samples in 2024, marking a 27% increase from the previous year.
Ensuring sustainable domestic financing and securing new partners are critical to advancing global efforts toward a world free of measles. By the end of 2024, only 81 countries (42%) had eliminated measles, a modest increase of three countries since before the pandemic. In 2025, further progress was achieved, with specific areas in the Pacific Islands and Cabo Verde, Mauritius, and Seychelles verified for measles elimination, raising the total to 96 countries.
The Americas region regained elimination status in 2024 but lost it again by November 2025 due to ongoing transmission in Canada. The resurgence of measles, even in high-income countries that previously eliminated it, underscores the dangers of immunization rates falling below the crucial 95% threshold.
To achieve global measles elimination, robust political commitment and sustained investment are essential. The IA2030 Mid-Term Review calls on countries and partners to enhance routine immunization, strengthen surveillance, and improve rapid outbreak response capabilities. High-quality, high-coverage campaigns are vital, especially in areas where routine immunization remains insufficient to protect all children.
