Measles deaths fall 88% as vaccines save 58 million lives, WHO reports

By Doris Obinna

A new World Health Organization (WHO) report has highlighted a major global progress against measles, driven largely by expanding vaccination efforts, particularly in lower-income countries showing steep declines in both cases and deaths since 2000. 

According to the report released Thursday, annual measles cases have dropped by 71 per cent worldwide, falling from an estimated 38 million at the turn of the millennium to 11 million in 2024. Deaths decreased even more sharply, plunging 88 per cent over the same period from 777,000 to 95,000 marking the lowest annual toll in decades.

Health officials attribute the turnaround primarily to expanded vaccination coverage. WHO estimates that nearly 58.7 million lives have been saved by measles vaccination since 2000, a figure public health experts describe as among the most remarkable success stories in modern medicine. The report also highlights the economic gains of sustained immunisation efforts, noting that every dollar invested in measles vaccines returns approximately $58 in societal benefits, including avoided medical costs and productivity losses.

It further stated that a central driver of this progress has been the ongoing work of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has helped lower-income countries strengthen routine immunisation programmes, launch preventive campaigns and respond rapidly to outbreaks. Since 2007, Gavi has invested US$2.2 billion in measles and rubella vaccination half of it in just the past five years supporting 57 countries and reaching more than 1.3 billion children who are among the most vulnerable to infection.

In 2024 alone, Gavi backed one of its largest coordinated pushes, helping 24 countries launch catch-up and follow-up campaigns that together vaccinated more than 62 million children. Five additional countries conducted outbreak response efforts with Gavi’s support, delivering vaccines to as many as 6.8 million children. This momentum has continued through 2025, with more than 20 countries receiving vaccines or financing for preventive or emergency campaigns.

The African region stands out for its resilience and steady progress, particularly in the face of competing health priorities and resource constraints. Routine immunisation systems across Africa have strengthened markedly over the past two decades. Coverage of the first measles-containing vaccine dose (MCV1) has climbed from 50 per cent in 2000 to 71 per cent in 2024, rebounding after pandemic disruptions.

The second dose (MCV2) has seen even more dramatic growth from just five per cent in 2000 to 55 per cent last year. The region has recorded a 40 per cent drop in measles cases and a 50 per cent reduction in deaths compared with 2019, despite a rising birth population that strains health systems.

Yet the WHO report warns that the fight is far from over. Global vaccination coverage remains below pre-pandemic levels, leaving millions of children susceptible to infection. MCV1 coverage crept upward to 84 per cent in 2024, but still falls shy of the 86 per cent achieved before COVID-19 and remains far below the 95 per cent threshold needed to halt transmission of one of the world’s most contagious viruses.

Last year alone, 20.6 million children missed their first measles dose more than half of them in Africa, contributing to significant immunity gaps. In 2024, 59 countries experienced large or disruptive outbreaks, the highest number reported since 2003.

MCV2 coverage has improved substantially, now reaching 76 per cent globally, but experts stress that even this progress is insufficient to eliminate measles. The persistence of outbreaks across countries of all income levels, including wealthier nations with pockets of low vaccination, underscores the growing fragility of global immunity.

Head, Measles and Rubella Vaccine Programme at Gavi, Rebecca Casey, as quoted, said the achievements of the past 25 years demonstrate what is possible when global partnerships and national leadership align. But she cautioned that the recent resurgence of cases is a stark reminder that progress can quickly unravel.

“Over 25 years, Gavi’s partnerships with lower-income countries have saved millions of lives and prevented outbreaks. The rise in measles cases and outbreaks in regions around the world is a clear warning sign that we must not be complacent in our efforts to reach and maintain the high coverage rates needed to prevent outbreaks and deaths. Every child deserves protection from measles, and it is often the most vulnerable who are at greatest risk.

“Gavi’s approach combines support for catch-up vaccination, efforts to boost routine MCV1 and MCV2 coverage including initiatives targeting children who have never received any routine vaccine and financing for improved vaccine presentation formats that help extend reach in low-density communities. The Alliance also funds planning and implementation of regular preventive measles and measles rubella campaigns, and contributes to outbreak response through the Measles & Rubella Initiative’s (MRI) Outbreak Response Fund.”

As the world confronts a worrying resurgence of preventable diseases, the WHO report emphasises that maintaining high immunisation coverage is essential to safeguarding the gains made since 2000. Public health agencies warn that without renewed commitment and investment, the hard-won declines in measles illness and deaths could reverse threatening millions of children, particularly those in the poorest and most underserved communities.