Britain and several other European nations have lost their official measles elimination status. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the move on Monday, pointing to a dangerous rise in infections across the continent.
The change is a direct result of falling childhood vaccination rates. It marks a major setback in a decades-long public health fight.
What Does “Losing Elimination Status” Mean?
A country loses its measles elimination status when the virus spreads locally for a year or more. The WHO uses strict data to make this call. The decision for the UK, Spain, Austria, and others was actually made in September 2024. It was based on full-year data from that period.
The WHO only announced it now after all involved countries agreed. Losing the status is a formal recognition that measles is again spreading freely within a country’s borders.
Which Countries Are Affected?
The United Kingdom and Spain are among the highest-profile nations to lose their status. Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan also lost theirs. They are not alone. Other European countries like France and Romania already have regular measles transmission.
Canada lost its elimination status last year. The United States is also working hard to keep its status as cases rise there.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The core reason is simple: not enough children are getting vaccinated. Measles is almost entirely preventable with two vaccine doses. To stop its spread, 95% of a population needs to be fully protected.
In the UK, only 84.4% of children had both doses in 2024. This gap in protection allowed the virus to take hold. England alone saw 2,911 confirmed cases that year, the highest number since 2012. Health experts link this drop to growing vaccine hesitancy. Public trust in vaccines has fallen in many countries since the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Is the Political Impact?
Losing elimination status is a political blow. It signals a failure in a core public health duty. Governments are now under pressure to explain why vaccination rates have fallen.
The UK’s status has swung back and forth. It was first declared measles-free in 2016, lost that status in 2018, regained it in 2021, and has now lost it again. This trend points to a persistent political struggle to uphold public trust and vaccination coverage.
The WHO says the UK’s situation reflects a wider problem across Europe. Governments must now find new ways to convince parents to vaccinate their children.
What Happens Next?
The WHO is urging all countries to boost vaccination efforts immediately. The focus is on reaching under-protected communities. The UK Health Security Agency echoed this on Monday, urging all parents to ensure their children are vaccinated.
