Mexico City Steps Up Vaccination as Measles Spreads Regionally

Mexico City is intensifying vaccination and surveillance efforts in response to a growing measles outbreak, which has contributed to the Americas losing their measles-free status. Health authorities report that the virus is predominantly affecting young adults, while children under five remain a high-risk group, highlighting persistent gaps in immunity across age groups.

“Measles is the world’s most contagious virus,” says Tedros Adhanom, Director General, World Health Organization (WHO). “It will exploit any gap in our collective defenses. Vaccinating every child and adult who can benefit is essential to prevent costly outbreaks and save lives.”

Mexico recorded over 6,400 confirmed measles cases and 24 deaths in 2025, with the highest concentration in Chihuahua, Mexico City, Jalisco, Guerrero, Michoacan, and the State of Mexico. The first cases were reported in February 2025 in Chihuahua, and transmission quickly spread to other states. Children under five account for the largest share of cases, but young adults aged 20–40 represent the group with the lowest immunity. According to Nadine Gasman, Head, Mexico City’s Ministry of Health (SEDESA), many adults were never fully vaccinated or missed booster doses.

Across the Americas, cases surged from 466 in 2024 to nearly 14,900 in 2025, a 32-fold increase. Canada reported 5,436 cases, the United States 2,242, and Mexico 6,428. Other affected countries include Bolivia, Paraguay, Belize, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Infants under one year of age have the highest incidence rates, followed by children aged one to nine.

“This resurgence demonstrates the fragility of previous achievements,” says Rodrigo Romero, Coordinator, Mexican Association of Vaccinology. “Without consistent coverage, measles can quickly return even to regions previously declared free of endemic transmission.”

Vaccination Campaigns Intensify

Mexico’s Ministry of Health has deployed over 23.5 million measles vaccine doses nationwide, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and measles-rubella (MR) vaccines. Campaigns target children as young as six months, adolescents, adults up to 49, seasonal agricultural workers, teachers, and healthcare personnel. Authorities have implemented house-to-house visits, mobile brigades, and vaccination perimeters around confirmed cases to interrupt transmission.

In Mexico City, the vaccination strategy has expanded beyond health centers to include kiosks and mobile units in high-traffic areas, such as Metro stations, Metrobús stops, and other public transportation hubs. Stations in Alvaro Obregón, Cuajimalpa, Gustavo A. Madero, and Tlahuac now host vaccination points, operating weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with plans to add evening modules for residents unable to attend during the day.

Mauricio López Manning, Mexico City’s Deputy Minister of Health, emphasizes accessibility: “Our goal is to bring vaccines to where people live, work, and travel. Every dose administered reduces the risk of outbreaks and protects the community.”

Loss of Measles-Free Status

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) confirmed in November 2025 that the Americas no longer meet the criteria for measles elimination, citing sustained transmission in multiple countries, including Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Endemic transmission is defined as uninterrupted circulation of a measles virus genotype for at least 12 months. The decision followed a meeting of PAHO’s Regional Commission for Monitoring and Verification of the Elimination of Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome in Mexico City.

Jarbas Barbosa, Director, PAHO, says that the situation represents “a reversible setback” and stresses that political commitment, regional cooperation, and high immunization coverage can restore elimination status. Previous temporary losses in Venezuela (2018) and Brazil (2019) were reversed through coordinated vaccination and surveillance campaigns, demonstrating that elimination can be regained.

Addressing Immunization Gaps

First-dose measles vaccination coverage in the Americas reached 88% in 2024, above the global average of 84%, but still below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks. Second-dose coverage averaged 79%, with only one-third of countries achieving 95% coverage for the first dose and one-fifth for the second. Mexico itself reports two-dose coverage of 81.1% nationwide, leaving over 340,000 children without routine vaccinations in 2024.

Health officials highlight that vaccine hesitancy remains a barrier. Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF, notes: “Millions of children remain unprotected against preventable diseases. Addressing hesitancy through transparent communication and community engagement is critical.”

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine vaccination campaigns, contributing to immunity gaps. Mexico has responded by reinforcing National Vaccination Weeks, community outreach, and public information campaigns through schools, workplaces, indigenous-language media, and radio.

Globally, over 552,000 suspected measles cases were reported in 179 countries in 2025, of which nearly 45% were confirmed. The surge reflects immunization gaps and underscores the importance of sustaining high coverage with two MMR doses. Outbreaks have been reported in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, the European Union, and South-East Asia, emphasizing that measles is a global threat that requires vigilant monitoring.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Mexico is coordinating with PAHO and international partners to protect attendees. The event is expected to attract over 5.5 million international visitors, making vaccination outreach, epidemiological surveillance, and rapid outbreak response particularly important. “Organizing large-scale events carries public health risks, but proactive vaccination and monitoring can mitigate them,” says Pascaline Leon, Head of Health, Lifestyle and Beauty, Business France.

Mexico City’s response highlights the importance of vaccination, surveillance, and preventive health policies in controlling measles outbreaks. Authorities are leveraging mobile vaccination units, high-traffic distribution points, and expanded eligibility to close immunity gaps among children and adults. Experts agree that sustained political commitment, regional cooperation, and evidence-based public health strategies are essential to restore measles elimination status and protect vulnerable populations.

“The current efforts, if maintained and combined with technical assistance from PAHO, can prevent further resurgences of diseases we previously thought under control,” says Romero. The ongoing campaign demonstrates that with coordination, investment, and public engagement, measles can once again be contained in Mexico and the Americas.