WHO Urges Global Investment in Measles Immunization to Curb Rising Cases.

Geneva: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has made a global call for countries to invest in immunization efforts, emphasizing the critical role of vaccines in preventing measles and safeguarding vulnerable populations. He highlighted that the measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine over the past 50 years.According to Ghana News Agency, a joint news release by WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant surge in measles cases worldwide, with an estimated 10.3 million infections in 2023, marking a 20 percent increase from 2022. The organizations attributed this rise to inadequate immunization coverage on a global scale.The report noted that despite measles being preventable with two doses of the vaccine, over 22 million children missed their first dose in 2023. It stated that 83 percent of children worldwide received their first measles vaccine dose in 2023, while only 74 percent received t he recommended second dose. Achieving a 95 percent or greater coverage of two doses is essential to prevent outbreaks and protect against one of the world's most contagious viruses.Mandy Cohen, Director of the CDC, expressed concern over the rising number of measles infections globally, which pose a threat to lives and health. She emphasized the need for continued investment to increase vaccine access, describing the measles vaccine as the best defense against the virus.The release revealed that due to global vaccination gaps, 57 countries experienced large or disruptive measles outbreaks in 2023, with all regions affected except the Americas. This represents a nearly 60 percent increase from the previous year when 36 countries reported significant outbreaks. The WHO regions of Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific saw substantial increases in cases, with nearly half of the severe outbreaks occurring in Africa.An estimated 107,500 people, primarily children under fi ve, died due to measles in 2023. Although this figure is an eight percent decrease from the previous year, the number of deaths remains alarmingly high for a preventable disease. The slight reduction in fatalities was attributed to better nutritional status and access to health services in regions where the surge occurred.The report cautioned that even survivors of measles could suffer severe, lifelong health complications, including blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis. It warned that the global goal of measles elimination, as outlined in the Immunization Agenda 2030, is under threat due to the surge in cases and outbreaks.Urgent and targeted vaccination efforts, especially in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions and areas affected by conflict, are necessary to ensure all children receive two doses of the measles vaccine. The release also called for strengthened disease surveillance, including the Global Measles Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN), to optimize immunization programs and enable r apid response to outbreaks.