Mexico at Risk of Losing WHO Eliminating Polio Certification
- Mexico is poised to lose its measles-free certification from the World Health Association (WHO) as the country approaches the one-year mark of its ongoing measles outbreak.As of January...
- Gaerther Barnard described the case count as "historic," noting it is indeed the highest number of cases Mexico has ever recorded.
- Officials anticipate continued vaccination efforts in 2026 to combat the virus.
Mexico Faces Loss of Measles-Free certification
Mexico is poised to lose its measles-free certification from the World Health Association (WHO) as the country approaches the one-year mark of its ongoing measles outbreak.As of January 15, 2026, more than 6,700 cases have been reported, with 5 percent remaining active, according to Samantha Gaerther Barnard, Director of the child and Adolescent Health Program at the National Center for Child and Adolescent Health of the Secretariat of Health.
Gaerther Barnard described the case count as “historic,” noting it is indeed the highest number of cases Mexico has ever recorded. She credited the administration of 11 million vaccine doses - out of a total of 18 million available – with preventing an even larger outbreak.
Officials anticipate continued vaccination efforts in 2026 to combat the virus.