Measles spike in US shows how vaccine hesitancy threatens decades of public-health progress
Vaccines are critical tools for the containment and elimination of infectious diseases. They work not merely by protecting individuals, but by reducing community transmission. There have been several global pushes to improve vaccine uptake over the years, but one major coordinated effort occurred in 2021 in response to the Covid pandemic, which saw the most rapid vaccine introduction in history.
Globally, the years with the most vaccine introductions have typically coincided with public health initiatives, funding boosts, or as a response to pandemics. The 1980s and 1990s saw WHO's Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) with DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis), polio, measles, BCG (tuberculosis) vaccines and Hepatitis B and Hib vaccines introduced in the late 1990s. The 2000s saw accelerated introductions of Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and yellow fever vaccines in low-income countries, marking a shift in global access to routine vaccines. The introduction of new and underused vaccines like pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus vaccine, HPV and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine marked the next decade.
The United States is currently experiencing a significant resurgence of measles, with 1,046 confirmed cases as of May 27. This marks a sharp increase from previous years, with the majority of cases occurring among unvaccinated individuals in regions with declining immunisation rates. Measles was officially eliminated from the US in 2000. This implies that new cases occur only when someone contracts measles abroad and returns to the country. A new study from Johns Hopkins points out that the significant drop in childhood vaccination rates is concerning because herd immunity requires at least 95 per cent vaccination coverage.
The MMR vaccine is probably one of the most effective vaccines. A single dose gives 93 per cent protection from infection, and two doses up to 98 per cent. Measles, which can be deadly for unvaccinated children, is highly contagious. Factors like post-pandemic vaccine hesitancy, non-evidence-based fears of the association between the MMR vaccine and autism, and the complacency of populations who may not remember the long-term sequelae of measles infection are behind the dwindling measles vaccination rates in the US.
Measles is often regarded as the 'canary in the coalmine' — if cases spread, it is a warning that other disease outbreaks might spring up where there are gaps in vaccination coverage. Its resurgence in the US is a global warning that even advanced health systems are vulnerable without consistent immunisation. Globally, only 83 per cent of children received the first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023; 74 per cent received the second dose. These figures fall short of the 95 per cent coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.
India has made significant strides in its immunisation efforts, particularly under the UIP. India achieved a national immunisation coverage of 93.5 per cent in 2023–24, indicating that the majority of children received all recommended vaccines by the age of two. Since its inception, Mission Indradhanush, focused on areas with low immunisation rates, has completed 12 phases, vaccinating 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women across 554 districts. However, the measles upsurge in the US shows one cannot ignore increasing vaccine hesitancy, particularly since it threatens to throw away the gains made in the containment of infectious diseases. In resource-limited settings, this can lead to healthcare systems being overwhelmed and a general delay in uptake of new vaccines.
Misinformation has contributed significantly to the declining uptake for vaccines. The flu vaccination rates among NHS staff in the UK, for instance, dropped to their lowest in nearly 15 years in 2024-25. So far, India has remained immune to vaccine hesitancy. Previous experience with successful vaccination campaigns and government endorsements have played an important role in creating a positive perception of vaccines. However, we must remain alert and actively consider putting in place a multi-pronged, culturally nuanced plan to address vaccine hesitancy.
The writer is senior scientist, ICMR
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
37 minutes ago
- Hans India
TGMC and Dental Council caught in a ‘surgical' war
Hyderabad: The Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) and the Telangana Dental Council (TDC) are at loggerheads over professional issues and the nature of their specialisations. The bone of contention is that dental surgeons and oral maxillofacial surgeons (MDS) are performing hair transplant and aesthetic surgeries. While the TGMC issued a notification stating that dental surgeons cannot perform hair transplant within a day, the TDC has asserted that they are qualified to do so. Responding to the notification issued by TGMC, the state dental council has come up with its version regarding the scope of practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMFS). It states that these dental surgeons are qualified to perform facial aesthetic procedures and hair transplants. Members from the dental council cite the amendments made by the Dental Council of India (DCI) to the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) Course Regulations (3rd Amendment). The amendments have been published in the Gazette of India on August 26, 2019, through Notification No. DE-87(3)-2019. According to DCI regulations, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to perform a wide range of procedures, including minor oral surgeries; surgical management of soft tissue injuries, fractures, gunshot wounds, war injuries, and cancers in the head and neck region, craniofacial surgery, surgical correction of aesthetic defects in jaws and face, skin graft harvesting, bone graft harvesting from hip, ribs, skull and lower leg, among several such specialisations. They recalled that during the Covid-19 pandemic, maxillofacial surgeons played a crucial role in removing black fungus (Mucormycosis) infections, setting right neurological problems in the maxillofacial region and laser surgery for lesions and cryosurgery. The TDC has also mentioned that they were medically qualified to perform aesthetic facial surgery, including for facial skin, underlying facial muscles, bone, eyelids, external ear, acne scars, facelifts, blepharoplasty, otoplasty and facial bone recontouring. 'The Telangana Dental Council advises the public not to be misled by statements from any other organisations, councils or bodies regarding this matter, other than those from the Dental Council of India or the respective state dental councils,' it said in a clarification issued on TGMC has stuck to its guns while contending that dentists, dental surgeons, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons do not possess the required qualifications to perform aesthetic procedures and hair transplants. It maintained that they do not have these specialities as a core topic in their curriculum, indicating a lack of formal surgical knowledge and training to go about these procedures. Caught in this professional wrangle that smacks of a battle for one-upmanship are the people, who are unsure of which Council's contentions are right, medically speaking.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
From space medicine to DNA Vaccines: Union Minister Jitendra Singh calls for synergized, inclusive healthcare model for Viksit Bharat 2047
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): While delivering a thought-provoking keynote address at the Doctor's Day Conclave organized by the ET Times Now, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh, emphasized that India stands at the crossroads of a health-tech revolution and at the threshold of a grand new chapter, with its economy moving from the 10th to the 4th largest globally and the further ascent continuing. According to a release from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Minister cited Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to the International Space Station, carrying indigenous life science kits, as a milestone that may soon give birth to a new medical discipline: Space Medicine. Jitendra Singh called for a 'synergized, inclusive and futuristic healthcare ecosystem' in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. 'Very soon, we might have a dedicated stream in medical academics called Space Physicians. This is the future we must be ready for,' said Jitendra Singh. Addressing the theme of health and demographic change, the Minister spoke of India facing a 'bi-phasic challenge' -- a rising number of elderly citizens due to increased life expectancy, alongside a youthful population. He explained: 'While more than 70% of India is under 40, the elderly population is also growing rapidly. In 1947, the average life span was 50-55 years; today it is nearing 80,' the release added. Jitendra Singh noted the dual burden of disease, as India simultaneously tackles both communicable and non-communicable illnesses, particularly in the post-COVID era. To address this, he stressed mass screening, early detection, and prevention, calling for greater public-private partnerships and optimal use of technologies like AI, telemedicine, and machine learning, the release added. Highlighting India's recent global achievements, Jitendra Singh proudly stated that India has emerged as a global leader in preventive and precision healthcare. He noted that India developed the world's first DNA vaccine for COVID-19 and an HPV vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer. Further, India successfully conducted its first gene therapy trial for haemophilia, with the results published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, the release added. The Minister also announced the launch of Nafithromycin, the country's first indigenously developed antibiotic molecule, marking a significant milestone in India's pharmaceutical innovation landscape. He attributed these successes to early-stage collaboration with private industry, stating 'These achievements were possible because of seamless integration of public and private sectors from the outset.' Touching upon the need for integrated institutions, Jitendra Singh revealed that IIT Kanpur and IISc Bengaluru are planning to establish medical schools within their campuses. He also lauded India's affordable healthcare models like Ayushman Bharat and institutions like Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute in Trivandrum, which integrates research, manufacturing, and clinical care, the release added. In the context of cancer care, Jitendra Singh emphasized India's move toward targeted radiation therapy and highlighted Tata Memorial Centre as a pioneer in 100% digital and cashless hospital systems. He also shed light on India's hygiene innovations during massive public gatherings like Kumbh Mela, where radiation-based faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs)ensured sanitation for over 40 crore pilgrims without health hazards. On climate-related health resilience, Jitendra Singh mentioned the recently launched Mission Mausam, focusing on early warning systems for health-related impacts of climate disasters. Concluding his address, Jitendra Singh underscored the need for a transformative approach to India's healthcare future. He called for wider synergy across sectors, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between academia, research institutions, industry, and government. He also advocated for early-stage integration of the private sector in both research and healthcare delivery to ensure sustainability and scalability. Furthermore, he urged institutional innovation, citing proposals by premier institutes like IIT Kanpur and IISc Bengaluru to establish medical schools within their campuses -- a step he believes will foster interdisciplinary excellence and create a new model of holistic education and healthcare, the release added. 'Let us not hand over everything to the technocrats. A bit of the doctor must remain. We must carry forward both the science and the soul of medicine,' he said. (ANI)
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
5 hours ago
- First Post
Summer sets the trap: Doctors call for pre-monsoon malaria vigilance
As summer sets in, doctors warn that heat, stagnant water and increased outdoor exposure are driving malaria risks higher. With the WHO flagging seasonal shifts and behavioural patterns as key contributors, timely prevention and awareness can help avert pre-monsoon outbreaks. read more As temperatures rise across India, health experts are raising alarms over malaria transmission during summer, an often-overlooked seasonal danger. While monsoon months are traditionally linked to vector-borne diseases, medical experts say that summer lays the groundwork for intensified malaria outbreaks, creating perfect conditions for the Anopheles mosquito, the vector of the Plasmodium parasite. Firstpost talked with Dr Satish Koul, Senior Director & Unit Head, Internal Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute (Gurugram) and Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram to understand how summer conditions increase malaria risk and what people can do to protect themselves. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The summer heat, combined with pre-monsoon showers, speeds up the parasite's development inside mosquitoes. It also increases outdoor exposure and water accumulation—both major contributors to malaria risk.' How summer creates a perfect storm According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, but still poses a grave threat, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The rising summer temperatures (especially between 20–30°C) are ideal for both mosquito survival and the Plasmodium parasite's incubation. Dr Tayal said 'Improper drainage, stagnant water in coolers, gutters, and discarded containers—all typical during Indian summers—become prime mosquito breeding sites, especially in areas with poor sanitation.' Adding to the risk is human behaviour—greater outdoor activity during evenings and early mornings coincides with peak Anopheles mosquito biting times. In regions where people lack access to bed nets, mosquito repellents, or screened housing, exposure increases dramatically. High-risk populations and delayed diagnosis Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses or compromised immunity are particularly vulnerable. Dr Koul pointed out that heat-related dehydration and fatigue can further impair the body's immune response, making infections more severe. What complicates detection is that early malaria symptoms—fever, body aches, chills—closely mimic heat exhaustion and viral fevers. In rural or underserved communities, this often leads to delayed treatment or reliance on self-medication, heightening the risk of complications and community-level spread. Seasonal mobility and travel risk Summer holidays often see increased travel to forested or rural areas—many of which are malaria-endemic zones. According to Dr Tayal, 'Travel to such locations without prophylaxis or awareness increases the chances of contracting the disease. Migrant labour movement can also contribute to new outbreaks.' Clinical advice for prevention Both experts stress proactive prevention as key. Recommendations include: Eliminating stagnant water from all containers weekly. Using insecticide-treated bed nets and mosquito repellents consistently. Wearing protective clothing in the evenings and early mornings. Seeking medical attention promptly for any unexplained fever or flu-like symptoms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Consulting a physician for antimalarial prophylaxis if traveling to endemic areas. Climate Change and Future Outlook Climate change adds another layer of complexity. With rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall, malaria zones may expand and transmission seasons may lengthen. As such, community awareness, infrastructure improvements, and preventive care must be at the forefront of India's malaria strategy. As the summer heat intensifies, experts warn that tackling malaria requires not just monsoon vigilance but year-round, seasonally adaptive public health action.
