Mexico is currently experiencing a serious measles epidemic, with 8,459 reported cases and 2,027 new cases registered in 2026, making it the country with the highest number of infections in the Americas this year. Specialists from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) have connected this resurgence to a steady decline in vaccination coverage over several years. Pablo Francisco Oliva Sánchez, a noted epidemiologist, emphasized that the current outbreak cannot be viewed as an isolated incident; rather, it is the culmination of years of falling vaccination rates.

In previous decades, Mexico boasted vaccination coverage rates near 95%, considered sufficient to control diseases like measles. However, recent reports show these rates have plunged to approximately 71%, significantly below the threshold necessary to keep the disease under control. The alarming state of vaccinations poses a real risk to public health, as the resurgence of measles is not only a health crisis but reflects broader issues related to public health policy and community trust in vaccines.

In response to this escalating situation, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is calling on Mexico to implement urgent measures to increase vaccination rates and control the outbreak. If left unaddressed, this trend could lead to more severe outbreaks and a potential public health disaster, underscoring the necessity for both immediate action and a long-term commitment to improving vaccination services across the nation.