Deaths from measles

While the Government of Pakistan is engaged in awareness campaigns to improve healthcare literacy and vaccine knowledge during the ongoing World Immunisation Week, the country has reported at least 71 children who have lost their lives to measles this year. As predicted in 2025, falling vaccination rates have significantly impacted global efforts to curb preventable diseases. When combined with the remnant effects of Covid-19, the world is gradually becoming witness to what medical professionals were afraid of.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can linger in the air in a room for two hours, making it one of the fastest spreading infectious diseases. Therefore, meaningful prevention for measles can only mean one thing: vaccination. Thankfully, the government has added to the funds for its immunisation programme. The MR (measles and rubella) vaccine has been provided by the government for free at public health centres during numerous vaccination campaigns, including one that is ongoing. But unfortunately, when vaccine availability is not an issue, vaccine hesitancy becomes a hurdle.

There are currently over one million 'zero-dose' children in Pakistan i.e. those who never received a vaccination. For certain regions, healthcare accessibility causes the persistence of such a large number, but oftentimes, it is the stigmas attached to vaccines.

Last year, the US reckoned with the highest recorded number of measles cases in three decades. Currently, Bangladesh is also experiencing a measles outbreak much worse than ones in preceding years. Over 11 million cases of measles were recorded globally in 2024. So, while it is true that a measles outbreak is not singularly our problem, Pakistan remains among the top ten countries with the highest number of zero-dose children. Its heightened vulnerability demands bigger awareness campaigns so that vaccines can reach every single child living in the remotest areas - for the sake of their lives and our future.