![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YN42AGCEZESDR5IEWHGWCME5FU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ca293cbc17bbef4b2f77ef61f6a1b330ae666a11352bd07992a1334f53784e2&width=400&height=225)
WHO data from 2022 showed that about 83 per cent of the world's children received one dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services, marking the lowest coverage since 2008.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PMXFPGKRBJ72US2BWEZX2E555I.jpg?smart=true&auth=5aa8ece47981fb187084a7d80e4a7a09c75bea363ab22e08418e8f2c01655b0b&width=400&height=225)
Measles, caused by a highly contagious virus, is an airborne disease that can result in severe complications and death. All photos: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ZPYE7EUABOWEVNGM4Z7XSCW5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=53ef7377246b940eb26bb2898d18e1dcd71b63598ce10169a584a3200e01c2e8&width=400&height=225)
According to the World Health Organisaiton, the measles vaccination has prevented 56 million deaths between 2000 and 2021.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PFSX3JPOTZDK7LP4GH5XZ5CEUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=35c7fb3818c71ef342f05de25b71945323e78c5d547d1698e79671df2f8338a3&width=400&height=225)
Despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine, the WHO says about 128,000 measles-related deaths occurred globally in 2021, primarily affecting unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under the age of 5.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YN42AGCEZESDR5IEWHGWCME5FU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ca293cbc17bbef4b2f77ef61f6a1b330ae666a11352bd07992a1334f53784e2&width=400&height=225)
WHO data from 2022 showed that about 83 per cent of the world's children received one dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services, marking the lowest coverage since 2008.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PMXFPGKRBJ72US2BWEZX2E555I.jpg?smart=true&auth=5aa8ece47981fb187084a7d80e4a7a09c75bea363ab22e08418e8f2c01655b0b&width=400&height=225)
Measles, caused by a highly contagious virus, is an airborne disease that can result in severe complications and death. All photos: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ZPYE7EUABOWEVNGM4Z7XSCW5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=53ef7377246b940eb26bb2898d18e1dcd71b63598ce10169a584a3200e01c2e8&width=400&height=225)
According to the World Health Organisaiton, the measles vaccination has prevented 56 million deaths between 2000 and 2021.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PFSX3JPOTZDK7LP4GH5XZ5CEUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=35c7fb3818c71ef342f05de25b71945323e78c5d547d1698e79671df2f8338a3&width=400&height=225)
Despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine, the WHO says about 128,000 measles-related deaths occurred globally in 2021, primarily affecting unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under the age of 5.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YN42AGCEZESDR5IEWHGWCME5FU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ca293cbc17bbef4b2f77ef61f6a1b330ae666a11352bd07992a1334f53784e2&width=400&height=225)
WHO data from 2022 showed that about 83 per cent of the world's children received one dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services, marking the lowest coverage since 2008.
Measles resurgence: how vaccination gaps are fueling an alarming rise in global cases
This highly infectious viral condition can only be kept in check if 95% of susceptible infants are vaccinated
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
14 March, 2024
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