Measles — a disease many people thought we had nearly eliminated — is suddenly making a strong comeback around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 11 million infections were reported last year, pushing global measles elimination farther out of reach.
So, what’s causing this resurgence?
Health experts say it comes down to one main issue: not enough people are getting vaccinated.
To stop measles from spreading, 95% of a community needs to be vaccinated. This level of protection creates what’s known as herd immunity. Unfortunately, many regions are falling short of that number, which leaves millions of people vulnerable.
The WHO issued a strong warning, stating that “without sustained attention, hard-fought gains can easily be lost.” They also noted that measles is returning in countries that had previously reached — or were close to reaching — elimination. Simply put: when children go unvaccinated, outbreaks happen.
Health officials continue to highlight the importance of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella). The vaccine is 97% effective, making it the best tool we have to protect people from this highly contagious virus.
When are kids vaccinated?
Most children receive two doses:
- 1st dose: between 12–15 months
- 2nd dose: between 4–6 years (before kindergarten)
Infants as young as 6 months can receive an early dose if they’re at high risk during an outbreak.
Why measles is so dangerous
The disease doesn’t just cause a rash and fever — it can lead to severe, lifelong health problems. The CDC lists the following complications:
- Pneumonia
- Brain damage
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Severe diarrhea
- Premature birth or low-birthweight in pregnant women
- Loss of immunity to other serious infections
Measles rising sharply in the United States
The U.S. is also seeing a troubling spike. According to the CDC, measles cases have hit a 33-year high with over 1,798 infections reported this year.
- 212 people have been hospitalized
- At least 3 deaths have been recorded
- 92% of cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals
Last year, 92.7% of U.S. kindergarteners were vaccinated — still below the 95% needed for herd immunity.
The message from global and U.S. health experts is clear: vaccination remains the strongest and safest protection against measles, especially as the disease spreads faster than it has in decades.
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