A Recent Increase in Measles Cases in Yemen
A recent UN report highlights a significant increase in measles cases in Yemen during the first half of this year. Approximately 26,000 cases were reported, with the majority occurring in Houthi-controlled areas.
Outbreak of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Yemen is currently experiencing an outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles. From January to June 22, a total of 25,935 suspected measles cases were reported. This includes 1,406 laboratory-confirmed cases and 259 deaths across all governorates.
This number represents over 96% of the total cases reported in 2022.
Lack of Vaccination Coverage
The report emphasizes that 88% of children suspected of having measles did not receive a single dose of the vaccine. This situation could have been prevented if these children had received two or three doses of the measles vaccine.
The suspension of awareness and vaccination campaigns in Houthi-controlled areas, along with the group’s misinformation campaigns against vaccines, has left thousands of children vulnerable to measles and other preventable diseases.
Decline in Routine Vaccination Coverage
In 2023, routine vaccination coverage, including for measles, declined by 69% compared to the target at the end of April. Only 224,000 children received the first dose of the measles vaccine, a 10% decrease compared to the same period in 2022. This, combined with increasing rates of malnutrition, has set the stage for a larger and more severe measles outbreak, resulting in an increase in child deaths.