Europe and Central Asia Measles Cases witnessed a concerning surge in confirmed measles cases, reaching 30,601 compared to 909 cases reported in the entirety of 2022. This staggering 3266% increase in vaccine-preventable disease cases has prompted a warning from UNICEF.
Recent data reveals a worsening trend, indicating a nearly doubled rate of measles cases in Europe and Central Asia between October and November 2023. Anticipated further increases are attributed to existing gaps in immunity.
Measles Cases
Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, emphasizes the urgent need for attention and public health measures, stating, “There is no clearer sign of a breakdown in immunization coverage than an increase in cases of measles. Such a dramatic increase requires urgent attention and public health measures to protect children from this dangerous and deadly disease.”
Measles poses severe health risks to children, with potentially fatal consequences and long-lasting immune system weakening, rendering them more susceptible to other infectious diseases like pneumonia.
Kazakhstan reports the highest rate of measles cases, with 69 cases per 100,000 population, totaling 13,254 cases. Kyrgyzstan follows with the second-highest rate of 58 cases per 100,000 population, amounting to 3,811 cases. Romania, recently declaring a national measles outbreak, reports a rate of 9.6 cases per 100,000, totaling 1,855 cases.
The surge in measles cases is attributed to declining immunization coverage across the region. Factors contributing to this decline include reduced vaccine demand, fueled by misinformation and mistrust, exacerbated during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions to health services and weak primary health care systems further compound the issue.
Latest data indicate that an estimated 931,000 children in Europe and Central Asia missed routine immunizations from 2019 to 2021. The immunization rate for the first dose against measles in the region dropped from 96% in 2019 to 93% in 2022. To address this, a dedicated effort is required to ensure these children catch up with their vaccinations as they surpass the age for routine immunizations.
UNICEF urges countries across the region to:
Urgently identify and reach all children, especially those who missed vaccinations.
Strengthen demand for vaccines, including building confidence.
Prioritize funding for immunization services and primary health care.
Build resilient health systems through investment in health workers, innovation, and local manufacturing.
UNICEF collaborates with governments, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, and other partners to generate evidence, identify zero-dose children and missed communities, understand root causes of backsliding from demand and supply perspectives, and assess context-specific causes and risk factors. UNICEF uses this evidence to develop and implement strategies supporting governments in Europe and Central Asia to immunize every child.
