Vaccination gaps spark resurgence in measles and whooping cough: Global warning
found that nearly 67 million children worldwide missed one or more routine vaccines between 2019 and 2022, with measles and pertussis (whooping cough) topping the list of high-risk outbreaks.
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The researchers called it "the largest sustained backslide in childhood immunisation in three decades." And now, we're seeing the effects. Diseases once under control are resurging across multiple countries. From India to the US and UK, measles and whooping cough are quietly creeping back faster, more widespread, and more dangerous than before. The common link? Falling vaccination rates, pandemic-related disruptions, and a worrying dip in public confidence around routine childhood immunisation.
This article breaks down what's driving this spike in preventable diseases, who's most at risk, and what needs to change, urgently.
Why measles is making a global resurgence
Measles remains one of the most contagious diseases known, with an R₀ value of 12 to 18 meaning one case can trigger dozens of new infections in unprotected populations. After years of progress, measles cases jumped dramatically in 2023, reaching 10.3 million globally, a 20% rise from 2022.
Nearly half of those infected were children under five. Millions of children missed their routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of 2021, nearly 40 million children worldwide did not receive a single measles vaccine dose, creating widespread immunity gaps.
The alarming rise of whooping cough alongside measles
Whooping cough (pertussis) is also surging. From 2021 to 2024, reported cases in the U.S. soared by over 1,500%, with more than 7,100 cases already in 2025, almost double the prior year's tally.
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This resurgence closely tracks declines in DTaP vaccination rates. Even infants under six months who are most vulnerable are at heightened risk, and pertussis-related hospitalisations and fatalities are increasing.
How declining immunisation fuels outbreaks
A global analysis by BMJ and multiple health agencies found a post‑COVID surge in infections including measles, pertussis, tuberculosis, and polio, across more than 40 countries. Many faced up to ten-fold increases in disease rates, largely due to disrupted immunisation during the pandemic.In the U.S.,
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination coverage fell to 92.5%, below the 95% needed for herd immunity. Texas reported a notable drop from 96.9% to 93.2% between 2019 and 2025.
Why these diseases are dangerous for children
Measles isn't just a rash and fever, it leads to complications like pneumonia, blindness, encephalitis, and long-term immune suppression. One in five infected children develops severe illness, and fatality rates rise significantly in under-fives and adults over 30.
Pertussis causes violent coughing fits that can trigger vomiting, fractured ribs, and even life-threatening apnoea in infants. About a third of infected babies under one year require hospitalisation; fatality rates remain a serious concern.
Quick snapshot: what's driving the resurgence in diseases
Factor
Impact
Missed immunisations during COVID
Created large pools of susceptible children
Declining vaccine confidence and exemptions
Undermined community protection
Vaccination coverage dropping below 95%
Allowed outbreaks to spread
Inadequate surveillance in vulnerable populations
Delayed detection and response
What needs to change in the vaccination scene urgently
Strengthen vaccine programmes worldwide, especially targeting underserved communities
Restore trust in immunisation, counter misinformation, and enforce vaccine requirements
Maintain surveillance and rapid outbreak response systems to identify emerging hotspots
Ensure pregnant women and caregivers stay up to date with booster shots, especially for pertussis
Scale up campaigns like India's Mission Indradhanush, which has improved childhood vaccine coverage dramatically in high-focus states like UP, Bihar and MP
As measles and whooping cough resurface, the warning is clear: complacency isn't an option. These diseases can return with alarming speed when vaccine coverage dips, threatening children globally and straining healthcare systems. Restoring high vaccination rates, bolstering surveillance, and rebuilding public trust in immunisation are critical steps to preserve decades of progress and to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases from claiming more lives.
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