Geneva | November 30, 2025 :
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a stark global alert on November 28, 2025, warning that measles remains a severe and persistent threat despite decades of progress in vaccination coverage. New data reveal that while annual measles deaths have fallen by an extraordinary 88% since 2000—from 800,000 to 95,000—the majority of those who die are still young children who lacked routine immunization.
The WHO report, compiled from 194 countries, credits the widespread rollout of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for preventing an estimated 60 million deaths over the past 25 years. Yet health officials caution that gaps in immunization continue to put millions at risk. According to the findings, 22 million children missed at least one measles dose in 2024, particularly in conflict-affected regions of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where health services remain overstretched.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the situation “a preventable tragedy,” urging governments to intensify catch-up vaccination campaigns ahead of World Immunization Week. He stressed that more than 80% of the 95,000 measles deaths last year were among children under five—despite the vaccine’s 97% efficacy for two doses.
The organization also noted a 30% surge in global measles cases following COVID-era disruptions that weakened health systems and fueled misinformation. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has committed $500 million to accelerate outreach efforts, especially in low-income countries that shoulder 90% of the disease burden.
India reported 1,500 measles cases in 2025 despite national coverage exceeding 95%, with outbreaks linked to migrant populations and underserved communities. Meanwhile, severe flare-ups in Yemen and Ethiopia caused 500 deaths in November alone, underscoring the fragility of global health systems amid ongoing humanitarian crises.
The warning comes as climate-related displacement, anti-vaccine movements online, and chronic funding shortfalls threaten to undo years of progress. Experts worry that without sustained investment, measles could regain a foothold. Human stories, such as Aisha from Somalia, who lost two siblings to the disease, highlight the devastating consequences of uneven immunization access.
Global health leaders at the November G20 summit pledged to close a $7.7 billion funding gap to strengthen vaccination programs. WHO’s target is 95% vaccine coverage worldwide by 2030, supported by innovations such as drone vaccine delivery in remote regions.
The message from global health authorities is clear: progress is real, but complacency could reverse decades of hard-won gains in child health.
