Measles elimination – the end of an era?

Abstract

This editorial outlines the current global measles situation in the context of the loss of elimination status for several countries in Europe and the region of the Americas. Achieving high population immunity requires substantial, long-term disease control efforts through high functioning immunisation programs. Both vaccine hesitancy, a global issue, and issues of access to vaccines, particularly in low and middle income countries, are drivers of the current outbreaks and threaten the success of the WHO’s global measles elimination goals.

Keywords

• measles
• elimination
• immunisation
• vaccine hesitancy
• travel