Due to anti-vaccination, the incidence of measles in the world has increased by 20 percent

The incidence of measles last year increased by 20 percent compared to the previous year. More than 10 million cases have been reported worldwide, indicating alarming gaps in vaccination coverage.

“It is estimated that worldwide there were 10.3 million cases cases of measles in 2023,” says a joint publication of the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This data is marked 20 percent increase relative to 2022. Main reason: anti-vaccination. “Inadequate immunization coverage worldwide is driving the rise in cases,” the document said.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. To prevent outbreaks, coverage at least 95 percent with two doses of vaccine against measles and rubella.

But in 2023 only 83 percent of children Globally, the first dose of measles vaccine has been received through routine health services, the same level as in 2022 but lower than the 86 percent pre-pandemic.

Only 74 percent received a second award. dose last year, the study found.

“The measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the last 50 years,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“To save more lives and prevent this deadly virus from harming our most vulnerable populations, we must invest in immunization all people, no matter where they live,” he added.

CDC Director Mandy Cohen, for her part, argued that “the measles vaccine This is our best defense against the virus and we must continue to invest in efforts to expand access.”

As a result of global gaps in vaccination coverage, Major measles outbreaks have occurred in 57 countries and devastating in 2023 compared to 36 countries a year earlier.

All regions except the American continentwere affected, the document says, with almost half of all large and destructive outbreaks occurring in the African region.

A virus that can cause rash, fever and flu-like symptoms, and especially serious complications in young childrenthere were 107,500 deaths in 2023, most of whom were under five years of age.

This assumes decrease by 8 percent compared to the previous year.

The departments explained that the decrease was mainly due to the fact that an increase in cases occurred in countries and regions where children with measles died less oftendue to better nutritional status and access to health care.

These data reinforce suspicions that the lack of vaccination in the population is not due to shortcomings in campaigns, but decision of part of society who are not experiencing financial difficulties, who simply decided not to get vaccinated.

“Too many children are still dying from this preventable disease,” they said.

The global goal is to eliminate measles as an endemic threat by 2030, agencies have warned. was “under threat”.

By the end of last year, 82 countries had achieved or maintained measles elimination. After Brazil confirmed again this week that it has eliminated measles, the Americas region is again being considered by the WHO. free from endemic measles.

Meanwhile, all regionsexcluding Africa, there is at least one country that has eliminated the disease.

Agencies called for urgent and concrete efforts to ensure that all children receive two doses of vaccines

particularly in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions, as well as in fragile and conflict-affected regions.

“This requires achieving and maintaining highly effective systemic immunization programs and conduct high-quality campaigns with wide coverage when these programs are still not enough to protect all children,” they closed.