Mexico: No Vaccine Shortage Despite Measles & Preventable Disease Rise

Mexico is currently experiencing a significant measles outbreak, particularly in the northern state of Chihuahua, which has become the epicenter of the disease in North America. As of August 13, 2025, Chihuahua reported 3,778 confirmed cases and 5,286 probable cases, far exceeding the total number of cases reported across the entire United States during the same period.

The outbreak is particularly concerning within unvaccinated communities, notably among the Mennonite population in Chihuahua. Health officials identified the first case in Chihuahua – a 9-year-old Mennonite child – as originating from a trip to Gaines County, Texas, where measles cases have also been prevalent. Approximately 40-50% of Mennonites in Chihuahua are estimated to be vaccinated, contributing to the vulnerability of this population. Similar vaccine hesitancy has been observed in Canadian hotspots.

The contrast between outbreaks in vaccinated and unvaccinated communities highlights the importance of immunization. According to Mauricio Rodríguez, a biomedical sciences researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the situation in Chihuahua exemplifies what happens when the virus enters a community with low vaccination rates.

The surge in measles cases represents a dramatic increase compared to previous years. In 2024, Mexico recorded only seven confirmed cases of measles. However, by 2025, the country’s tally had already surpassed 4,000 cases. This rapid growth has outpaced the reported infection rates in the United States.

While Chihuahua has been hardest hit, with 13 of the country’s 14 measles-related deaths occurring there, the outbreak extends beyond this single state. An initial imported case was identified in Oaxaca in mid-February 2025, involving a 5-year-old child, and another in Chihuahua involving a 9-year-old. The Oaxaca outbreak was contained after spreading to only five people, but the situation in the border region proved more challenging.

The resurgence of measles in Mexico is occurring alongside a broader trend of increasing preventable diseases. Medical specialists have warned of a decline in vaccination coverage leading to a comeback of diseases like whooping cough and polio. In the first four months of 2025, Mexico recorded 696 cases of whooping cough, a significant increase compared to the 60 cases reported during the same period in 2024. Whooping cough can lead to severe hospitalizations and fatalities in young children.

Mexico’s National Vaccination Week, held from April 26 to May 3, 2025, aimed to immunize 1.8 million people. The national health card includes up to 10 essential vaccines for children under nine years old, including a hexavalent vaccine protecting against whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. This vaccine is administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with a booster at 18 months.

Despite the availability of vaccines, vaccination coverage in Mexico falls short of the 95% needed to achieve herd immunity. Data from 2022 indicates that vaccination coverage for children under one year stands at 86%. Dr. Sarbelio Moreno, a pediatric infectious disease expert, emphasizes that any disruption in vaccination services leads to a growing number of susceptible children.

Mexican health authorities are actively working to address the outbreak and ensure vaccine distribution throughout the country. María Alejandra Alegría, of the Unidad Coordinadora de Vinculación y Participación Social, stated that Mexico has a large inventory of millions of vaccine doses available and is distributing them according to population needs. Efforts are being made to collaborate with community leaders, such as those within the Mennonite community, to increase vaccination rates.

The Mexican Senate is also focused on strengthening the national vaccination program and consolidating the National Vaccine Registry to ensure equity, traceability, and transparency. A notable development is the first-time use of tetravalent influenza vaccines manufactured in Mexico, a policy championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo to promote domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.

Health officials continue to emphasize the safety and life-saving benefits of vaccines, urging the population to seek vaccination at health centers. The ongoing response to the measles outbreak and other preventable diseases underscores the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage rates to protect public health.