Measles: still a global threat despite vaccination

Measles is an airborne disease that can lead to serious complications or even death. It is found worldwide. The virus that causes it is highly contagious and spreads easily through breathing, coughing or sneezing.¹ Measles is most common in children, but it can affect any susceptible individual. Before a vaccine became available, almost everyone contracted the disease during childhood²

Since the 1960s, protection against measles through vaccination is possible.² But although a safe and cost-effective vaccination is available , people still die from the infection. In 2023 an estimated 107500 deaths from measles were registered by the WHO, most of them children.¹ Also due to the COVID19 pandemic, the proportion of children receiving proper vaccination was decreasing from 2019 to 2023.¹ Just recently, the WHO reported that the European region recorded 127,350 measles cases for 2024 – twice as many as for 2023 and the highest number since 1997.³

^{1 WHO: Measles - as of January 2025 (last update: November 2024)}

^{2 ECDC: Factsheet about measles - as of January 2025 (last update: November 2023)}

^{3 WHO: Highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years – as of March 2025 (last update: March 2025)}