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Peer-reviewedCC BYJournal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health

Drivers of measles resurgence in Africa: Strategies to increase vaccine coverage in remote communities

  • Chizaram Onyeaghala1
  • Mark Anum Nortey2
  • Alpha Umar Bai-Sesay3
  • Abdullahi Hassan4
  • Ebuka Louis Anyamene5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria
  2. 2School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon; AFROMED Academy of Medical Research and Innovation, Lusaka, Zambia
  3. 3Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
  4. 4Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Global Health Institute of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
  5. 5Medix Frontier, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
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Abstract

Measles remains a major public health challenge in Africa, despite substantial progress in immunisation and the availability of safe, effective vaccines. Between 2000 and 2024, measles vaccination averted nearly 20 million deaths in Africa, yet persistent immunity gaps continue to permit outbreaks, particularly in remote and underserved communities. In 2024, coverage with the second dose of measles-containing vaccine in the WHO African Region was 55%, substantially below the 95% level required to interrupt transmission. This commentary examines the structural, health system, behavioural, and access-related factors driving persistent measles transmission, including suboptimal routine immunisation, pandemic-related disruptions, health workforce constraints, conflict and displacement, weak surveillance, vaccine hesitancy, geographic barriers, and inconsistent outreach. It proposes context-sensitive strategies centred on strengthening routine immunisation, expanding mobile and outreach services, engaging communities, improving risk communication, using digital tools for immunisation tracking and microplanning, strengthening surveillance, and securing sustainable financing. Closing measles immunity gaps requires more than improving national coverage averages; it requires targeted approaches that identify and address barriers preventing underserved populations from accessing and accepting vaccination. Sustained political commitment, equitable resource allocation, and locally adapted service delivery are essential to advancing measles elimination in Africa.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{onyeaghala2026drivers,
  title = {{Drivers of measles resurgence in Africa: Strategies to increase vaccine coverage in remote communities}},
  author = {Chizaram Onyeaghala and Mark Anum Nortey and Alpha Umar Bai-Sesay and Abdullahi Hassan and Ebuka Louis Anyamene},
  journal = {Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.37432/jieph-d-26-00243},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-d-26-00243},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Drivers of measles resurgence in Africa: Strategies to increase vaccine coverage in remote communities
AU  - Chizaram Onyeaghala
AU  - Mark Anum Nortey
AU  - Alpha Umar Bai-Sesay
AU  - Abdullahi Hassan
AU  - Ebuka Louis Anyamene
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/01
JO  - Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health
DO  - 10.37432/jieph-d-26-00243
UR  - https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-d-26-00243
AB  - Measles remains a major public health challenge in Africa, despite substantial progress in immunisation and the availability of safe, effective vaccines. Between 2000 and 2024, measles vaccination averted nearly 20 million deaths in Africa, yet persistent immunity gaps continue to permit outbreaks, particularly in remote and underserved communities. In 2024, coverage with the second dose of measles-containing vaccine in the WHO African Region was 55%, substantially below the 95% level required to interrupt transmission. This commentary examines the structural, health system, behavioural, and access-related factors driving persistent measles transmission, including suboptimal routine immunisation, pandemic-related disruptions, health workforce constraints, conflict and displacement, weak surveillance, vaccine hesitancy, geographic barriers, and inconsistent outreach. It proposes context-sensitive strategies centred on strengthening routine immunisation, expanding mobile and outreach services, engaging communities, improving risk communication, using digital tools for immunisation tracking and microplanning, strengthening surveillance, and securing sustainable financing. Closing measles immunity gaps requires more than improving national coverage averages; it requires targeted approaches that identify and address barriers preventing underserved populations from accessing and accepting vaccination. Sustained political commitment, equitable resource allocation, and locally adapted service delivery are essential to advancing measles elimination in Africa.
SN  - 2664-2824
ER  -