WHO Shocking Warning: 22 States at Risk of Measles Outbreaks – Are You and Your Kids Protected?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported significant progress in reducing deaths from measles over the past two decades, yet new data reveals alarming outbreaks that underscore serious gaps in immunisation programs worldwide. According to WHO, there has been an astonishing 88% decrease in measles deaths between 2000 and 2024, saving nearly 59 million lives through vaccination efforts. This achievement highlights the efficacy of the measles vaccine, which is part of the widely administered MMR vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

In the United States, the MMR vaccine was first introduced in 1971 by Merck & Co. (MSD) and continues to be produced alongside vaccines from other major manufacturers like GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). However, despite progress in immunisation, WHO's recent report indicates that while the proportion of children receiving their first dose of measles vaccination increased in 2024 compared to 2023, second-dose coverage remains insufficient to halt virus transmission. WHO guidelines recommend that at least 95% coverage with two doses of the measles vaccine is necessary; however, global coverage stood at only 76% in 2024.

Despite the notable drop in deaths, measles cases are surging globally, with an estimated 11 million infections reported in 2024, which is nearly 800,000 more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This resurgence is particularly concerning in low- and middle-income countries where children are most at risk. However, the trend is not confined to those regions; even high-income countries, including the United States, are experiencing a rebound in measles cases due to declining immunisation rates that have dipped below the critical threshold.

The U.S. has seen a sharp increase in measles cases in 2025, marking the highest number since measles was declared eliminated in the country in 2000. The rise in infections coincides with a contentious vaccine landscape in the U.S. where health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fluctuated in his support for the MMR vaccine, which has been proven to effectively confer immunity against the disease. In a controversial move this year, Kennedy overhauled the CDC's vaccine committee by replacing members with well-known vaccine sceptics, raising concerns about the potential impact on public health.

While the WHO did not directly address the policies of former President Donald Trump regarding vaccines, they did emphasize that the growing outbreaks signify weaknesses in global immunisation strategies and health systems. The agency warned that the world's goal to eliminate measles by 2030 remains a distant ambition if current trends continue. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, “Measles is the world's most contagious virus, and these data show once again how it will exploit any gap in our collective defences against it.”

“Measles does not respect borders, but when every child in every community is vaccinated against it, costly outbreaks can be avoided, lives can be saved, and this disease can be eliminated from entire nations,” he added, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to protect communities.

As the U.S. and other nations grapple with the implications of declining immunisation rates, the resurgence of measles serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist within public health infrastructures. With the stakes higher than ever, it is crucial for governments and health organizations to address these gaps to prevent a full-scale public health crisis.