Measles Elimination Target

WHO goal to eliminate measles in specific regions through sustained high vaccine coverage.

What is the Measles Elimination Target?

The measles elimination target refers to a formal public health goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and regional health authorities to stop the transmission of measles within a defined geographic area, typically a country or region, for a sustained period. Specifically, measles elimination is defined as the absence of endemic measles virus transmission for at least 12 months in the presence of a high-quality surveillance system.

This does not mean that no measles cases will ever occur. Imported cases from other regions can still happen. But elimination means the virus no longer circulates continuously within a community.

Measles elimination is one of the clearest indicators of a strong immunization system. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on earth, requiring around 95% of the population to be immune (usually through vaccination) to interrupt sustained transmission — what public health experts call herd immunity.

Why the Measles Elimination Target Matters

Reaching measles elimination means a country has a reliable, equitable immunization program, high vaccine coverage (especially with two doses of measles-containing vaccine), rapid outbreak response capacity, and a sensitive surveillance system capable of detecting and confirming cases.

Key Components of Measles Elimination

• High two-dose measles vaccine coverage (≥95%) in every district.
• Robust disease surveillance with laboratory confirmation.
• Rapid investigation and response to suspected cases.
• Effective communication and community engagement.
• Strong health systems capable of delivering routine immunization.
• Prevention of measles virus importation and spread.

Indicators Used to Verify Elimination

• No endemic measles transmission for at least 12 months.
• High-quality surveillance meeting WHO performance standards.
• Laboratory evidence confirming interruption of transmission.
• Documented evidence of high vaccination coverage across all regions.
• Ability to rapidly respond to and contain imported cases.

Importantly, measles elimination is also a signal of broader health system strength. Where measles spreads, other vaccine-preventable diseases often follow.

Recent Progress and Challenges

• Several countries in the Americas, Europe, and parts of the Western Pacific achieved measles elimination during the 2000s and early 2010s.
• The Americas region lost its elimination status in 2016 after sustained outbreaks in Venezuela and Brazil.
• The United States, which declared measles eliminated in 2000, faced large outbreaks in 2025 fueled by vaccine refusal, putting its elimination status at risk.