In 2024, the European region reported 127,350 measles cases, the highest since 1997, with 38 deaths noted by early March 2025.

This surge in cases is attributed to declining vaccination rates, with around 500,000 children in Europe missing their first dose in 2023.

Critically low vaccination rates are also evident in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, where less than 70% and 50% of children are vaccinated, respectively.

The WHO urges governments in Europe and Central Asia to invest in healthcare and engage communities with low vaccination rates to improve public health.

Experts warn that misinformation about vaccines, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has severely impacted public health decisions.

In Romania, vaccination coverage dropped from 92% to 78% between 2013 and 2023, falling significantly below the 95% needed for herd immunity.

Healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of public health outreach to maintain vaccination rates and remind the public of the dangers of measles.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that 80% of those diagnosed with measles were unvaccinated, highlighting significant gaps in vaccination coverage.

Measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, underscoring the critical need for vaccination.

Concerns about vaccine safety, stemming from a discredited 1998 study, continue to affect vaccination rates despite no evidence linking the MMR vaccine to autism.

In the U.S., ongoing outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico have resulted in 250 cases and two deaths among unvaccinated individuals, marking a troubling resurgence.

Health care professionals recommend checking vaccination status, especially before traveling, as the MMR vaccine requires at least two weeks to become effective.