The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the number of measles cases surged in 2023 across Europe compared to the previous year (42,000 cases in 2023), primarily in Russia and Kazakhstan. The ECDC, for its part, reports just over 2,000 cases to date in EU/EEA countries. France, which has infant vaccination coverage close to the target needed to eliminate the disease, has recorded just over 100 cases in 2023 (unconsolidated data).

Only high vaccination coverage can eliminate measles in Europe

The measles virus is among the most contagious, and there is no specific treatment for the disease. Only very high and sustained vaccination coverage could allow the disease to disappear permanently. In France, measles vaccination is mandatory for all children born on or after January 1, 2018. The first dose is administered at 12 months and the second between 16 and 18 months. People born since 1980 should have received a total of two doses of the vaccine, regardless of their history with any of the three diseases (measles, mumps, and rubella).

An improvement in vaccination coverage (VC) with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been observed since the implementation of mandatory vaccination for infants, and the goal of 95% two-dose vaccination coverage by age 2 could soon be achieved. Recent VCO data at 24 months show 94.3% for the first dose and 91.3% for the second. However, there remain populations with insufficient vaccination coverage, particularly among adolescents and young adults, as well as within specific populations who are isolated from the healthcare system. Vaccination coverage against the three diseases, as reported by 18- to 35-year-olds, is estimated at 90.4% in metropolitan France, with significant regional disparities (Public Health France Barometer 2021). Therefore, to interrupt the circulation of the virus and achieve the WHO’s goal of eliminating measles, verifying measles vaccination status and updating vaccinations remain essential in older age groups.

Epidemiological surveillance based on reporting and mandatory reporting

Measles surveillance relies on mandatory reporting and a network of partners. It enables measures to be taken in response to a case (such as post-exposure vaccination) and allows health authorities to provide an appropriate response when clusters of cases are detected (such as catch-up vaccination for individuals who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, in accordance with current national recommendations). As a reminder, all cases of measles (clinical, confirmed, or laboratory-diagnosed) must be reported immediately by clinicians and laboratory professionals to the Regional Health Agency (ARS) under whose jurisdiction they fall. The National Reference Center (CNR) for measles, rubella, and mumps viruses performs viral genotyping and assists in the investigation of clusters and transmission chains.