WHO Warns of Rising Measles Outbreaks Amid Vaccination Shortfalls

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that over 30 million children worldwide did not receive the complete set of vaccines they require. Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus made this known during an online press briefing on global health challenges.

Dr. Ghebreyesus noted a slight increase in global measles vaccination coverage in 2024. However, 60 countries reported significant measles outbreaks in the same year, nearly double the figure recorded in 2022.
“While lack of access remains a major barrier to vaccination, widespread vaccine hesitancy is also a growing concern,” he said. He urged families to access reliable information on WHO’s website, emphasizing that vaccines have saved millions of lives since the creation of the smallpox vaccine over 200 years ago.

According to WHO’s and UNICEF’s latest report on global immunisation coverage, progress remains uneven. An estimated 14.3 million children have never received a single vaccine dose, while millions more are only partially immunised. Children in conflict zones or humanitarian crisis areas face the highest risk of missing out on life-saving vaccines.

On HIV prevention, Ghebreyesus announced WHO’s newly launched guidelines for the use of Lenacapavir, an innovative injectable drug that provides six months of protection and prevents over 96% of new infections. WHO is collaborating with nine early adopter countries to ensure that up to two million people can access the drug at a reduced price. Six generic manufacturers are also working on Lenacapavir, with wider availability expected by 2027.

Ghebreyesus also celebrated WHO’s progress in disease eradication, noting that Suriname has been certified malaria-free, bringing the total number of countries and territories achieving this status to 47. Burundi and Senegal have also eliminated trachoma as a public health issue, contributing to a total of 57 countries that have eradicated at least one neglected tropical disease.

Additionally, he highlighted the upcoming World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, stressing that hundreds of thousands of preventable drowning deaths occur annually, mostly among children in low- and middle-income countries. WHO is working with global partners to promote affordable, evidence-based interventions to prevent these tragedies.

Would you like me to condense this into a 3-paragraph news brief with a sharper lead?