Thread by @WHO

Nearly 4⃣0⃣ million children missed a measles vaccine dose in 2021.

🚨 According to the latest data from WHO & @CDCgov, global progress toward #measles elimination is threatened by major setbacks that started in 2020 during the #COVID19 pandemic.

👉 bit.ly/3Xxx7gL

In 2021, 2️⃣2️⃣ countries around the globe experienced large and disruptive outbreaks.

This led to over 9 million estimated #measles cases, and 128 000 deaths.

👉 bit.ly/3Xxx7gL

#Measles is highly contagious and can infect 9 out of 10 unprotected contacts of each case.

A single case can lead to 12 to 18 infections. The global decrease in vaccination rates led to large-scale outbreaks, risking millions of lives.

👉 bit.ly/3Xxx7gL

2⃣ doses of the #measles vaccine are needed to prevent measles infections and outbreaks. To protect communities from measles, the two-dose dose coverage of vaccines must be at least 95%.

Global vaccination rates are well below these levels 📉

👉 bit.ly/3Xxx7gL

It’s not all bad: last year the #measles vaccines saved the lives of over 2⃣ million children 🧒🏻👧🏾

Measles elimination remains feasible if we focus on:
🔎 Strengthening surveillance
💉 High vaccination coverage
🚨 Timely outbreak response

👉 bit.ly/3Xxx7gL

We urgently need to accelerate #measles vaccination efforts to achieve measles elimination.