Mexico City. City officials have launched a large-scale measles vaccination campaign in Mexico City, responding to a recent increase in confirmed cases. The initiative aims to contain the spread of the virus through an unprecedented territorial operation.
As of , Mexico City has recorded 166 confirmed cases of measles, representing an incidence rate of 1.79 per 100,000 inhabitants. City officials state this allows for timely and responsible action. Vaccination remains the most effective tool for preventing outbreaks and protecting the population, particularly in a highly mobile city like the capital.
The operation will involve 1,500 vaccinators, organized into 500 teams comprised of personnel from IMSS Bienestar, IMSS, Issste, the local Secretariat of Health, the University of Health, and federal forces. Half of these teams will be stationed at fixed points, while the remainder will conduct door-to-door outreach, beginning in the Cuauhtémoc, Álvaro Obregón, and Gustavo A. Madero boroughs.
In addition to mobile teams, 300 health centers within the IMSS Bienestar system will participate. Twenty-one locations will offer extended hours, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, across all 16 boroughs. Fifty modules will be set up in high-traffic areas such as the Zócalo, Alameda Central, and public markets. Another 100 vaccination points will be established within the public transportation system, including Metro stations, Metrobús lines, RTP buses, and Transportes Eléctricos.
Vaccination teams will also be deployed to upper secondary and higher education institutions, bus terminals, and the Central de Abasto wholesale market.
Nadine Gasman Zylbermann, the capital’s Secretary of Health, emphasized that 81 percent of confirmed cases involve individuals who were not vaccinated. She noted that over 909,000 doses of the measles vaccine have been administered in the city since . The vaccine is free, safe, and accessible, and individuals are encouraged to review their vaccination records, especially those under 49 years of age.
David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz, Secretary of Health for the Mexican government, urged individuals between six months and 49 years of age to receive at least one dose of the vaccine, even if they do not recall their previous vaccination history. He also recommended the use of face masks when experiencing respiratory symptoms to prevent transmission.
This vaccination effort comes amid a broader surge in measles cases across the Americas. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued a new epidemiological alert on , noting that Mexico is reporting the highest number of cases. PAHO highlighted that 78% of recent cases involve unvaccinated individuals and called for urgent vaccination campaigns.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection affecting the nose, throat, and lungs, spread through respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing. While safe and effective vaccines are available, measles remains a leading cause of death among young children globally, particularly those with limited access to healthcare and adequate nutrition. Severe cases can be fatal in up to 10 percent of instances.
Rubella, also known as German measles, poses a significant risk to pregnant women and their unborn children. Infection during pregnancy can lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), potentially causing miscarriage or serious birth defects, including heart disease, deafness, and blindness.
Historically, measles caused approximately 12,000 deaths annually in the Americas. Between 1970 and 1979, Latin American countries reported around 220,000 measles cases each year. However, vaccination campaigns between 1980 and 2015 reduced cases by 95 percent, decreasing the burden from 4.5 million to 244,700 cases in 35 years. The Americas were declared free of rubella and measles in 2015 and 2016, respectively, but maintaining this status is challenging in an increasingly interconnected world.
The current situation is concerning, with PAHO confirming 1,031 new measles cases across seven countries in the first three weeks of – a 43-fold increase compared to the same period last year. While no deaths have been reported thus far, Mexico leads with 740 cases, followed by the United States with 171 and Canada with 67. Jalisco, in western Mexico, has experienced the highest incidence rate this year, following outbreaks in Chihuahua and neighboring Texas last year. In the United States, attention is focused on South Carolina, where cases are rising.
