Global Measles Vaccination Coverage Falls Below Herd Immunity Threshold, Leading to Resurgence
Global vaccination coverage for measles remains significantly below the 95% threshold required for durable herd immunity, according to WHO/UNICEF estimates. In 2023, global coverage for the second dose of measles-containing vaccine reached only 74%, while first-dose coverage was 83%. This shortfall has contributed to a resurgence in measles cases worldwide. The WHO European Region, for instance, recorded 127,300 cases in 2024, marking its highest total since 1997. In the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports that nearly three-quarters of measles cases this year occurred among unvaccinated individuals, with only 85% of the regional population having received the two required doses of the MMR vaccine. Additionally, HPV vaccination coverage shows variability across European Union member states, with lower completion rates observed in Southern and Eastern European countries due to differences in regional implementation strategies and parental hesitancy.
