Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO), is raising concerns about vaccine hesitancy across the Americas due to increasing cases of measles and yellow fever. This alert comes as the Colombian government declared a public health emergency in the country due to a surge in cases, with 74 confirmed infections and 34 deaths.
Measles and Yellow Fever Cases on the Rise
According to PAHO, there have been localized outbreaks of measles in six American countries, with 2,313 cases reported this year compared to 215 during the same period in 2024. Additionally, three confirmed deaths and one more under investigation have been reported.
- In the first few months of 2025, the United States has experienced over a dozen measles outbreaks and at least 800 cases, including 624 infections and two fatalities in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
PAHO also reported an increase in yellow fever cases across the continent, with 189 confirmed infections and 74 deaths in four countries this year, compared to 61 cases and 30 fatalities in 2024.
Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa emphasized the urgency of addressing vaccine hesitancy to combat these rising cases. He stated, “Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, and countries have struggled to maintain the recommended 95% coverage of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, leaving us vulnerable to imported cases.”
To tackle these outbreaks, PAHO is collaborating with countries to overcome vaccine hesitancy, strengthen routine immunization programs, and expand access to vaccination.
Contributing Factors to Declining Vaccination Rates
The decline in childhood vaccinations in the United States over recent years has been fueled by the promotion of anti-scientific theories suggesting that childhood vaccines cause autism and other health risks.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the U.S. Health Secretary, has contributed to spreading these doubts for decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these concerns intensified as vaccines against the virus became politicized.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the concern raised by PAHO? A: PAHO is concerned about rising measles and yellow fever cases in the Americas due to vaccine hesitancy.
- Q: How many measles cases have been reported in 2025? A: There have been 2,313 confirmed measles cases in the Americas as of early 2025.
- Q: How many yellow fever cases have been reported in 2025? A: There have been 189 confirmed yellow fever cases and 74 deaths in the Americas as of early 2025.
- Q: Who is contributing to vaccine hesitancy in the U.S.? A: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the U.S. Health Secretary, has long promoted anti-scientific theories about vaccine risks.
