Measles Cases Rose 20% Worldwide in 2023, Per New Report

Measles cases surged by 20% worldwide in 2023, driven by lower vaccination rates due to pandemic disruptions. The World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC report that only 74% of eligible children received the second dose of the measles vaccine, falling short of the necessary coverage to prevent outbreaks.

 

This has resulted in 10.3 million cases and 107,500 deaths globally, although deaths decreased by 8% from the previous year. Most fatalities occur in low-income or conflict areas, where access to healthcare is limited. With more than 22 million children missing out on vaccination, global efforts to eliminate measles face significant challenges. Read more from STAT News here.