The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is now urging countries in the Americas to update their response plans to prevent the re-establishment of endemic transmission of the measles virus.

This follows a reduction in childhood vaccination coverage which has increased the possibility of outbreaks of the disease.

According to PAHO’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on vaccines, the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the region is at its highest point in the last 30 years.

PAHO estimates that, in 2021, more than 1.7 million children in 28 countries and territories of the Americas did not receive an initial dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday.

The data further revealed that in 2021, regional coverage for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) was 85 per cent. Only six countries reached the recommended level of 95 per cent or more needed to sustain the elimination of these diseases and ten countries reported coverage of less than 80 per cent.

PAHO recommends that parents, guardians, or caregivers ensure their children receive two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines to prevent outbreaks and to protect them against serious complications such as pneumonia, which can be fatal for infants and children.

Measles is a contagious virus for which safe and effective vaccines are available. Between 2000 and 2018, the measles vaccine prevented an estimated 23.2 million deaths worldwide.