The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned of an increased risk of measles outbreaks due to more than 22 million infants not receiving their first dose of the vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. A joint report from the organizations, released on Wednesday, showed that recorded measles cases dropped by more than 80% last year compared to 2019. However, the failure to vaccinate more children against the disease leaves them susceptible to infection.
The failure to vaccinate approximately 3 million children in 2020, a significant increase from the previous year and the largest rise in 20 years, threatens global efforts to eliminate this highly contagious viral disease. Kevin Khan, head of vaccinations at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated, "The large number of unvaccinated children, the measles outbreak, and the diagnostic efforts redirected to combat COVID-19, all increase the likelihood of measles-related fatalities and serious complications in children."
Measles is one of the most infectious known diseases, spreading more easily than COVID-19, Ebola, tuberculosis, and influenza. It can be extremely dangerous for infants and young children, with pneumonia among its potential complications.
