An estimated 15.6 million children under five contracted measles in 2023, as disrupted immunisation programmes reversed decades of progress and deaths reached 118,000.
Global measles infections among children under 5 climbed sharply in 2023, a new analysis published in Nature Medicine suggests, with researchers estimating 15.6 million cases worldwide and 118,000 deaths. The paper, by the GBD 2023 Measles Collaborators, says the disease has rebounded after years of progress, with the gains of the pre-pandemic era undermined by stalled vaccination programmes and uneven recovery across countries.
The study estimates that measles incidence among young children fell by about 80% between 1990 and 2019, while deaths dropped by roughly 90%. That long decline then went into reverse after 2020. According to the researchers, first-dose coverage reached 83.6% globally in 2019 before slipping to 81.0% in 2023, while second-dose coverage rose only gradually to 71.4%. Both figures remain well short of the 90% target set out in the World Health Organisation’s Immunisation Agenda 2030.
The authors say the setback reflects the disruption of routine childhood immunisation after the COVID-19 pandemic strained health systems and diverted funding. The evidence is modelled rather than based on direct case counts, drawing on surveillance, survey and vital records data from 204 countries and territories. That means the findings show a broad global pattern, not a precise tally of every infection. The paper was funded by the Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which the authors say had no role in the study’s design or analysis.
The warning is especially relevant for families in the United States, where measles has surged to its highest level in years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 4,588 confirmed cases as of October 22, 2026, including 4,404 linked to outbreaks, and 451 hospitalisations. The agency also said there have been 43 outbreaks this year. Earlier reporting from Reuters said Pennsylvania had become a major centre of transmission, while New York declared a statewide disaster emergency after cases multiplied.
Measles remains highly contagious and can spread through the air, lingering in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. Young children, pregnant women without immunity, unvaccinated people and those with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk of severe illness. Symptoms usually begin a week or two after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. Complications can include pneumonia and, in rare cases, encephalitis, a dangerous swelling of the brain.
Health officials continue to urge parents to make sure children receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, with the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. The CDC also advises an early dose for infants aged 6 to 11 months who are travelling internationally. Anyone who suspects measles should phone ahead before going to a clinic or emergency department so staff can limit exposure to others in the waiting room. According to the agency, the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and eligible children can receive it at no cost through the federal Vaccines for Children programme.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
