Vaccination encouraged due to measles surge

The decline in vaccination rates has triggered a worrying surge in measles cases in Mexico, which is now the country with the most confirmed infections in the region. According to the most recent report from the Federal Ministry of Health, as of October 1, 4,213 cases had been recorded, placing the country ahead of Canada (2,442) and the United States (1,544) , according to the Pan American Health Organization's biweekly bulletin.

Measles, considered eradicated in 2002, is re-emerging as a health threat. Specialists warn that the main cause is low vaccination coverage.

“Measles doesn't forgive a low vaccination rate. It's a consequence of the poor coverage under the previous administration... closing the gap won't be easy, even at forced marches,” explained infectious disease specialist Alejandro Macías, a professor at the University of Guanajuato.

The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, requires two doses: the first at 12 months of age and the second at six years of age. This is the most effective way to prevent the disease. However, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reveals that coverage fell from 75% in 2012 to 71% in 2024. And among adults, the proportion of those who have ever been immunized fell from 53% to 40%.

Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila , Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas recorded the most dramatic declines, with a drop from 76% to 62% in vaccinated minors. In Jalisco , Nayarit , Colima, and Michoacán , coverage dropped from 71% to 66%. The latest official report details that Chihuahua accounts for 20 of the 21 confirmed deaths. Jalisco ranks seventh nationwide with 43 infections.

"The estimate is that vaccination rates have decreased compared to the previous decade, and that directly influenced the increase," admitted Jalisco's Secretary of Health, Héctor Raúl Pérez Gómez.

He detailed that more than 4,500 vaccines have already been administered in the state in the Arandas area alone, where an outbreak of 39 cases was detected. Two more were reported in Tepatitlán, one in Jesús María, and another in Zapopan.

"Most of them, 90%, are unvaccinated or receive fake vaccination regimens," he said. He added that vaccines are available and that people should go to the IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) or health centers to reduce the problem.

According to Salvador Hernández Esparza, head of Epidemiology at the Zapopan Medical Services, infections could continue to rise, although control remains in place.

“Up to 90% of those affected were not vaccinated,” warned Hernández Esparza.

Measles begins with a high fever, runny nose, cough, and conjunctivitis. In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, severe diarrhea, or encephalitis, especially in unvaccinated children and people with malnutrition.

Researcher Rosa María del Ángel Núñez de Cáceres recalled that Mexico has been a world example of vaccination for decades, thanks to a rigorous system and mandatory vaccination cards. "The measures are lax; vaccination cards are no longer required, and not enough vaccines are being purchased. This causes immunization levels to drop and diseases to return."

For his part, neonatologist Jesús Alfredo Ayala Robles, from the Zapopan General Hospital, emphasized that there is no specific treatment, so prevention is essential . “Vaccines are safe and effective. They protect the individual and the community. In the face of this contingency, even adults can be revaccinated, regardless of age.”

CT