Progress Toward Measles Elimination - Worldwide, 2000-2022.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Immunization

Background:

• Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease.
• Global measles elimination efforts require high population immunity.
• Progress towards measles elimination has been hampered by recent setbacks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe measles elimination progress from 2000-2022.
• To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on measles vaccination coverage and outbreaks.
• To highlight the need for renewed vaccination and surveillance efforts.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of global measles vaccination coverage data (MCV1).
• Assessment of measles surveillance indicator achievement.
• Review of estimated measles cases and deaths.

Main Results:

• First-dose MCV coverage declined from 86% in 2019 to 81% in 2021, recovering slightly to 83% in 2022.
• Only 72 of 144 countries met surveillance targets in 2022.
• Estimated measles cases increased 18% and deaths 43% during 2021-2022.
• Despite setbacks, 57 million deaths were averted by vaccination during 2000-2022.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions caused significant setbacks in measles control.
• Suboptimal immunization coverage has left millions of children vulnerable.
• Urgent action is needed to reverse coverage declines and strengthen surveillance to achieve measles elimination.