Spain is once again seeing a rise in measles cases, marking a setback in the decades-long fight against the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has withdrawn Spain’s previously achieved elimination status, after data from 2024 and 2025 showed that virus transmission has become sustained once more.
Spain Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Rise in Cases Over Two Years
Spain’s health authorities report a significant increase:
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In 2024, 227 measles cases were recorded,
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in 2025, the number rose to 397 confirmed cases – almost double compared to the previous year.
This development is particularly concerning, as measles is highly contagious and has been effectively controlled for years through vaccination programmes.
Causes of the Renewed Increase
According to experts, two main factors are primarily responsible:
1. Disruption Caused by the COVID‑19 Pandemic
The pandemic disrupted surveillance and vaccination programmes. Although Spain returned relatively quickly to a high level of routine immunisations, gaps remained in some regions, which have facilitated the renewed spread of the virus.
2. Increase in Vaccine Hesitancy
Despite generally high vaccination rates, distrust of vaccines is growing among parts of the population. These “anti‑vaccine attitudes” lead more parents to delay or avoid fully vaccinating their children – a trend that experts say is contributing to the resurgence of measles.
Vaccination Rates: Generally Good, but Not Sufficient
MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination coverage in Spain is high, but not sufficient everywhere:
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First MMR dose: 97.3 % of children received it.
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Second MMR dose: Only 93.8 % – below the recommended threshold of at least 95 %, which is needed to reliably ensure so-called herd immunity.
Furthermore, there are significant regional variations: in some autonomous regions, vaccination rates are well below the recommended level, which facilitates local outbreaks.
Imported Cases and International Influences
A significant proportion of measles cases in Spain are linked to imported cases, primarily from countries where the disease is currently more widespread. According to health authorities, many infections originated from transmissions abroad before spreading further within Spain.
Experts Call for Greater Awareness and Vaccination Campaigns
Experts emphasise that despite this setback, Spain is well positioned to counter the trend:
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Targeted catch-up vaccinations for children who are not fully immunised could help close these gaps.
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Better education on the benefits and safety of vaccines is crucial to combat misinformation and vaccine scepticism.
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In addition, disease surveillance must be improved to detect and contain outbreaks more quickly.
Action Still Needed
The renewed rise in measles cases in Spain demonstrates that the fight against this highly contagious disease is far from over. Despite high vaccination rates and a robust healthcare system, vaccine hesitancy and the effects of the pandemic pose challenges that require active measures. Only through targeted vaccination campaigns and strengthened public education can the further spread of measles be prevented.
