Record-breaking increase in measles cases reported across Europe, according to the World Health Organization.
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Last year, cases of measles in the European region skyrocketed, reaching a peak not seen since 1997, according to a joint analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The alarming surge in measles cases amounted to a staggering 127,352, doubling the reported count from the previous year.
Young children under the age of 5 constituted roughly 40% of the measles cases, with half a million children in 2023 missing their initial dose of the measles vaccine. Dr. Hans P. Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe, expressed concern, stating, "Measles is back, and it's a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security."
The sudden increase is attributed to a decline in immunization coverage during the pandemic. As of now, vaccination rates in numerous countries have yet to rebound to pre-Covid levels, increasing the risk of additional outbreaks.
The European region was responsible for a significant third of all measles cases worldwide in 2024. Furthermore, immunization coverage across most of the region has dropped below the recommended level for herd immunity, which requires a vaccination rate of 95% or higher.
Some countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania, face a particularly critical situation. In these countries, less than 80% of eligible children received the measles vaccine in 2023.
Despite the dire circumstances, the analysis underlines that vaccination remains the most effective weapon against measles. Exposure to the virus in a vaccinated individual offers at least a 97% chance of avoiding contraction. In essence, maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial for ensuring the health and safety of our communities.
In 2023, half a million children in Montenegro missed their initial dose of the measles vaccine, contributing to the country's low vaccination rates and increasing its risk of measles outbreaks. This situation is particularly critical in Montenegro, where less than 80% of eligible children received the measles vaccine in 2023. Without high vaccination rates, the rates of measles cases are likely to remain high, as indicated by the WHO's regional director for Europe, Dr. Hans P. Kluge, who emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective weapon against measles.
