Measles Resurgence: Unvaccinated Children Fuel Deadly Outbreaks

Disruptions to health systems during the Covid-19 pandemic have left over 60 million children without a single dose of standard childhood vaccines, leading to large outbreaks of diseases that primarily kill children. By mid-2023, 47 countries reported serious measles outbreaks, compared to 16 countries in June 2020. Nigeria is facing its largest diphtheria outbreak, and twelve countries are reporting circulating polio virus. "Zero-dose children" account for nearly half of all child deaths from vaccine-preventable illnesses. An additional 85 million children are under-immunized due to the pandemic. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 43% rise in measles deaths in 2022, and the figures for 2023 indicate it could be twice as high. UNICEF is urging for a catch-up vaccination blitz and requesting $350 million from Gavi to purchase vaccines.