WHO Revokes Spain's Measles-Free Status Amid Rising Cases and Vaccination Gaps
The WHO has revoked Spain's measles-free status following rising cases and vaccination coverage shortfalls that threaten to reestablish endemic transmission.
- • WHO removed Spain's measles-free status due to a resurgence with 397 cases in 2025.
- • Vaccination coverage in Spain is high but second dose rates remain below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks.
- • 70.5% of confirmed measles cases were in unvaccinated individuals.
- • Endemic measles transmission likely resumed with continuous chains lasting over 12 months.
Key details
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially removed Spain's measles-free status, citing a resurgence of measles cases and a reestablishment of endemic transmission, a troubling development after a decade of sustained control. This decision follows a sharp rise in measles cases from just 11 in 2023 to 227 in 2024, with preliminary data for 2025 showing 397 confirmed cases, according to official reports.
A significant factor in this resurgence is vaccination coverage. While Spain achieved a national first-dose vaccination coverage of 97.3% in 2024, and 93.8% for the second dose, the rate for the second dose remains below the critical 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. Additionally, 70.5% of confirmed cases involved unvaccinated individuals, with 10.6% of cases occurring in people who had received two doses, mostly healthcare workers.
The European Regional Verification Committee for Measles and Rubella Elimination (CRV) has concluded that Spain is experiencing ongoing measles transmission, likely lasting over 12 months, which meets WHO criteria for endemic status. Moreover, 23.3% of confirmed cases were imported, mainly from Morocco and Romania, reflecting wider European and global trends.
Health authorities in Spain are responding by intensifying epidemiological surveillance and vaccination efforts to increase coverage and regain control. Pepa Sierra, deputy director of the Coordination Center for Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES), emphasized the critical need for vigilance and robust vaccination to protect vulnerable populations.
Experts attribute the decline in vaccination rates partly to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact and misinformation about vaccines, which have reduced public confidence, both in Spain and globally. This decline has heightened the risk of measles outbreaks, a disease known for its high contagion and potentially severe complications.
Spain first attained measles elimination status in 2016, but the current situation underscores the importance of maintaining and improving vaccination coverage to prevent further spread. The WHO has urged Spain and other affected countries to reinforce immunization and public health measures urgently to mitigate this resurgence and protect public health.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (3)
Source comparison
Vaccination coverage for first dose
Sources report different vaccination coverage rates for the first dose in Spain.
gacetamedica.com
"Vaccination coverage in Spain was 96.7% for the first dose."
elmundo.es
"Vaccination coverage in Spain reached 97.3% for the first dose."
Why this matters: One source states vaccination coverage for the first dose was 96.7%, while another claims it was 97.3%. This discrepancy is significant as it reflects the effectiveness of vaccination efforts.