By Comfort Asemota
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals major global progress in the fight against measles, driven by expanded vaccination programmes—especially in low-income countries. The report shows a dramatic decline in both measles cases and deaths since 2000.
According to the data released on Thursday, annual measles cases have fallen by 71%, dropping from an estimated 38 million in 2000 to 11 million in 2024. Measles deaths have decreased even more sharply, plunging 88%, from 777,000 to 95,000—the lowest annual total seen in decades.
WHO credits this success to widespread vaccination. The organisation estimates that measles vaccines have saved 58.7 million lives since 2000—a milestone public health experts call one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine. The report also underscores the economic benefits of immunisation, noting that every US$1 invested in measles vaccination generates about US$58 in societal returns, including reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity.
A major force behind this progress is Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has supported routine immunisation, preventive campaigns, and outbreak responses across low-income countries. Since 2007, Gavi has invested US$2.2 billion in measles and rubella vaccination—half of it within the past five years. This assistance has reached 57 countries, enabling vaccinations for more than 1.3 billion children at high risk of infection.
In 2024 alone, Gavi supported one of its largest coordinated efforts, helping 24 countries run catch-up and follow-up campaigns that vaccinated over 62 million children. Five additional countries conducted outbreak responses with Gavi support, delivering vaccines to nearly 6.8 million children. This momentum has carried into 2025, with more than 20 countries receiving vaccines or financial assistance for preventive or emergency campaigns.
Africa Shows Strong Resilience and Steady Progress
The African region has made significant strides despite competing health challenges. Routine immunisation systems have strengthened markedly over two decades:
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MCV1 (first measles vaccine dose) coverage rose from 50% in 2000 to 71% in 2024.
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MCV2 (second dose) saw even faster growth—from 5% in 2000 to 55% in 2024.
These gains contributed to a 40% reduction in measles cases and a 50% decline in deaths compared with 2019, even as birth rates continue to increase.
Global Challenges Remain
Despite substantial progress, WHO warns that global measles immunity remains fragile. Vaccination coverage is still below pre-pandemic levels, leaving millions of children unprotected.
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MCV1 coverage reached 84% in 2024—slightly up, but still below the 86% recorded before COVID-19 and far from the 95% threshold required to stop measles transmission.
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In 2024, 20.6 million children missed their first measles dose, over half of them in Africa.
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MCV2 coverage rose to 76% globally, but gaps remain too wide to eliminate measles.
The consequences of these gaps are evident: 59 countries reported large or disruptive outbreaks in 2024, the highest number since 2003. Experts note that outbreaks are occurring across all income levels, including wealthier nations with pockets of low vaccination, underscoring the vulnerability of global immunity.
Rebecca Casey, Head of the Measles and Rubella Vaccine Programme at Gavi, said the past 25 years show what is possible when strong global partnerships align with national leadership. However, she warned that recent case surges highlight how quickly progress can unravel without sustained investment in immunisation.
