Measles Vaccination

Mexico scrambles to contain measles outbreak linked to Mennonite community

In a rickety white Nissan, nurse Sandra Aguirre and her vaccination team drive past apple orchards and cornfields stretching to the desert horizon. Aguirre goes door to door with a cooler of measles vaccines. In one of Latin America's biggest Mennonite communities, she knows many will decline to be vaccinated or even open their doors. But some will ask questions, and a handful might even agree to get shots on the spot. We're out here every single day, said Aguirre, pausing to call out to an empty farm, checking for residents. To gain trust of the Mennonites -- because they're reserved and closed-off people -- you have to meet them where they're at, show a friendly face. Aguirre's work is part of an effort by health authorities across the country to contain Mexico's biggest measles outbreak in decades, as cases climb not only here but in the US and Canada. In Mexico, cases have been concentrated in the Mennonite community -- long skeptical of vaccines and distrustful of authorities --

US measles cases near 900, outbreaks reported in 10 states; What to know

With one-fifth of states seeing active measles outbreaks, the US is nearing 900 cases, according to figures posted Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC's confirmed measles case count is 884, triple the amount seen in all of 2024. The now three-month-long outbreak in Texas accounts for the vast majority of cases, with 663 confirmed as of Tuesday. The outbreak has also spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children died from measles-related illnesses in the epicenter in West Texas, and an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness. Other states with active outbreaks defined as three or more cases include Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. North America has two other ongoing outbreaks. One in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in 1,020 cases from mid-October through April 23. And as of Wednesday, the Mexican state of Chihuahua had 786 measles cases and

Odisha backs national target to eliminate Measles-Rubella by 2026: Minister

The launch was held at the Directorate of Public Health as part of the celebrations for World Immunisation Week 2025

JP Nadda launches National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination campaign

On this occasion, the Union Health Minister released multilingual M-R IEC materials, including posters, radio jingles, MR elimination materials, and the official U-WIN launch film

'Eradicated' measles returns to the US. How safe are we in India right now?

With measles resurging in the US, Indian experts say there is no cause for panic yet but underline the need for high vaccine coverage and public awareness

From eradicated to epidemic: Why measles has made a comeback in US

Texas has reported over 500 confirmed measles cases, with most patients unvaccinated. Health officials are pushing emergency vaccinations to curb the escalating outbreak

Second child dies as US battles worst measles outbreak in over 30 years

A second unvaccinated child has died from measles in Texas, as the United States confronts its worst outbreak of the disease in more than 30 years. The school-aged child, with no underlying conditions, died from complications while hospitalised, according to the University Medical Center (UMC) Health System in Lubbock, a leading regional hospital and teaching institution. The death follows another fatal pediatric case in Texas in February and an adult death in neighbouring New Mexico in early March. Nationwide, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 607 measles cases across 21 states this year, more than double the total for all of 2023. Texas has reported 481 cases, the highest statewide tally in decades. "If this trend continues, we may surpass the 2019 outbreak -- the worst in nearly 30 years," Dr Peter Hotez, a leading vaccine expert at Baylor College of Medicine, told PTI. "And what's tragic is that these deaths are entirely preventable." Measl

Measles outbreak: WHO issues travel warning amid rising cases in the US

As of March 27, there were over 483 confirmed cases of measles in the US, along with two deaths. The WHO has now issued a travel advisory. The CDC has also identified 3 major outbreaks in 2025

1st measles death reported in West Texas outbreak that's infected over 120

A person who was hospitalised with measles has died from measles in West Texas, the first death in an outbreak that began late last month. Lubbock city spokesperson Lauren Adams confirmed the death Wednesday. It wasn't clear the age of the patient, who died overnight. Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The measles outbreak in rural West Texas has grown to 124 cases across nine counties, the state health department said Tuesday. There are also nine cases in eastern New Mexico. Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours. Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most kids will recover from the measles if they get it, but infection can lead to dangerous complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death. The outbreak is largely spreading in the Mennonite community in an area wher

Over 26 million kids given measles vaccine between Apr 2022-Mar 2023: Govt

More than 2.63 crore children across the country received the first dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV) between April 2022 and March 2023, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Lok Sabha on Friday. Mandaviya was responding to a question on whether an estimated 11 lakh children in India missed their first measles vaccine dose in 2022, as stated in a report by the World Health Organisation and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. "While the World Health Organisation (WHO) publishes various reports on Immunisation, under Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), data regarding Measles Containing Vaccines (MCV) administered free of cost to all eligible children is captured in the Health Management Information System (HMIS). "As per HMIS, a total of 2,63,63,270 children received 1st dose of MCV throughout the country against the estimated target of 2,63,84,580 children in the period between April 2022 to March 2023," Mandaviya said. Listing steps taken by the

Reports on 1.1 mn children missing 1st measles vaccine in 2022 'inaccurate'

Media reports claiming that an estimated 11 lakh children in India missed their first measles vaccine dose in 2022 are "ill-informed and inaccurate," the Union Ministry of Health Family Welfare said on Saturday. There have been some media reports alleging that an estimated 11 lakh children in India missed their first measles vaccine dose in 2022, according to a report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "These reports are not based on facts and do not reflect the true picture. These reports are based on the estimated number reported under WHO UNICEF Estimates National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC) 2022 report which covers the time-period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. "However, as per the HMIS (Health Management Information System) of the Union Ministry of Health, a total of 2,63,63,270 children out of the eligible 2,63,84,580 children received their 1st dose of Measles Containing Vaccine (MCV) in

Measles deaths worldwide jumped 40 per cent last year, say health agencies

Measles deaths globally spiked by more than 40 per cent last year and cases rose after vaccination levels dramatically dropped during the pandemic, leading health agencies said on Thursday. The highly infectious disease triggered epidemics in 37 countries last year, versus 22 countries in 2021. It sickened 9 million children and killed 136,00, mostly in poorer countries, the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a new report. The number of measles cases also rose by nearly 20 per cent after immunisation levels dropped to their lowest in 15 years during the pandemic, the agencies said. The increase in measles outbreaks and deaths is staggering, but unfortunately, not unexpected given the declining vaccination rates we've seen in the past few years, said CDC's John Vertefeuille, said in a statement. Two doses of the measles vaccine are highly protective against the disease. Children in developing countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, .

Jharkhand govt to vaccinate 4.6 mn children in wake of Measles outbreak

Concerned over the increasing cases of measles in nine districts of the state, the Jharkhand govt has decided to run a special measles-rubella campaign in these districts for five weeks from April 15

Indore sees 47 cases of measles in 1 month, 83% patients unvaccinated

At least 47 cases of measles have been detected in Madhya Pradesh's Indore in the last one month and 83 per cent of the infected persons had not been vaccinated, an official said on Monday. The administration has received reports of 47 cases of measles in one month, and the affected persons range from a six-month-old baby to a 19-year-old man, district immunisation officer Dr Tarun Gupta told PTI. Of the infected people, only eight had taken the first dose of measles vaccine, while the remaining 39 were unvaccinated, he said. The health department is conducting a survey and vaccination drives in the measles affected areas of the district, he said. "There are still misconceptions about the measles vaccine among the public. We are also roping in politicians and religious leaders to create awareness among people about getting children vaccinated against the disease," the official said. An 11-year-old boy, who contracted measles while undergoing treatment for brain fever in Indore cit

1,162 children jabbed against measles in Mumbai; city reports 23 new cases

Mumbai on Thursday recorded 23 new measles cases and zero fatality, the civic body said in a release. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also inoculated 1,162 children against the viral infection on the first day of its Outbreak Response Immunisation drive. The Maharashtra health department has also formed a state-level task force headed by Dr Subhash Salunke to tackle rising measles cases, an official statement said. The tally of measles cases reported in Maharashtra between January 1, 2022 and November 30 stood at 754 and death toll stood at 18. All fatalities this year were from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (12 in Mumbai, three in Bhiwandi city, two in Thane city and one in Vasai-Virar city). Of 754 cases, 323 were from Mumbai, 70 from Malegaon city, 48 from Bhiwandi city and 44 from Thane city.

Mumbai measles outbreak, missed vaccination: Here's all you need to know

According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, currently India has the highest number of cases in the world at 9,489

BMC appeals for vaccination amid hike in Measles cases in Mumbai

After measles immunisation dropped significantly and with millions of children missing vaccination, the cases of measles in Mumbai, the financial capital of the country are seeing a hike

A record 40 mn kids missed measles vaccine dose last year: WHO, US CDC

The World Health Organisation and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say measles immunisation has dropped significantly since the coronavirus pandemic began, resulting in a record high of nearly 40 million children missing a vaccine dose last year. In a report issued Wednesday, the WHO and the CDC said millions of children were now susceptible to measles, among the world's most contagious diseases. In 2021, officials said there were about 9 million measles infections and 128,000 deaths worldwide. The WHO and CDC said continued drops in vaccination, weak disease surveillance and delayed response plans due to COVID-19, in addition to ongoing outbreaks in more than 20 countries, mean that measles is an imminent threat in every region of the world. Scientists estimate that at least 95% of a population needs to be immunised to protect against epidemics; the WHO and the CDC reported that only about 81% of children receive their first dose of measles vaccine while 71% get

Measles becomes 'an imminent global threat' due to Covid pandemic: WHO

The WHO and the US CDC said that measles immunization had dropped significantly since the Covid pandemic began, resulting in a record high of nearly 40 million children missing measles dose last yr

Africa sees rise in measles as Covid-19 pandemic disrupts vaccines

The rise in outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases is a warning sign," Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa, said in a statement