Measles cases in Europe surged to their highest levels since 1997, with 127,352 cases reported in 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF.
This marks a doubling of cases from the previous year.
Children under five made up 40% of infections, and nearly half a million children missed their first measles vaccine dose in 2023.
WHO’s regional director for Europe, Dr. Hans P. Kluge, warned that without high vaccination rates, health security is at risk.
The rise is linked to a decline in immunization coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, with vaccination rates in many countries still below pre-pandemic levels.
The report revealed that Europe accounted for a third of global measles cases in 2024 and that vaccination rates remain below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.
