Increase in measles incidence during COVID-19 pandemic: risks of failure to the implementation of the international measles elimination program in the Russian Federation, the European Region, and globally between 2019 and 2024
Authors:   Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Malinnikova E.Yu. , Yuminova N.V. ,   I.I. Mechnikov Scientific Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums, Moscow, Maximov M.L. ,   Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow,   Kazan State Medical Academy — Branch of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Kazan,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Startseva M.A. ,   Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Pogarskaya I.V. ,   I.I. Mechnikov Scientific Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums, Moscow, Kontarov N.A. ,   I.I. Mechnikov Scientific Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums, Moscow,   I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow
Published: January 2025

This study analyzes measles incidence trends from 2002 to 2024, vaccination coverage during that period, and factors delaying measles
elimination efforts across the 6 World Health Organization (WHO) Regions. The analysis also evaluates the implementation of four key
programs within the international measles elimination campaign, including considerations in other 5 WHO Regions. The primary factors
hindering the success of the four elimination programs in 6 WHO Regions during this period have been identified. One of the most critical
factors over the past 15 years has been the refusal or delay in routine immunizations and inadequate vaccination coverage, particularly
during the COVID-19 pandemic, when achieving the recommended 95–98% vaccination coverage of the pediatric population — essential for
effective protection against measles and rubella — proved difficult. Measles incidence has risen significantly since the onset of the COVID-19
pandemic. As reported by UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, a significant redistribution of human resources since
2022, tied to pandemic-related demands, further exacerbated vaccination gaps. Millions of children missed routine measles immunizations, largely due to healthcare system failures during the pandemic. A marked decrease in first- and second-dose measles mono- and combination
vaccine coverage across 190 countries has also led to a decline in population immunity, particularly among adults who previously relied
on post-vaccination humoral and cellular immunity. Compounding these challenges, the rise of the anti-vaccination movement in recent
years has further heightened the risk of measles outbreaks, threatening global health with this highly contagious and potentially severe
viral infection. Thus, the global decline in measles immunization coverage has, therefore, become a major obstacle to meeting global measles
elimination targets for 2022–2024.
Keywords: measles virus, COVID-19, vaccination, measles vaccines, morbidity, mortality.
For citation: Malinnikova E.Yu., Yuminova N.V., Maximov M.L., Startseva M.A., Pogarskaya I.V. Candidate of Biological Sciences Kontarov
N.A. Increase in measles incidence during COVID-19 pandemic: risks of failure to the implementation of the international measles
elimination program in the Russian Federation, the European Region, and globally between 2019 and 2024. RMJ. 2024;11:2–6. DOI:
10.32364/2225-2282-2024-11-1