Mexico Guarantees Measles Vaccine Supply for Years to Come

The Government of Mexico informed that the supply of measles vaccines is guaranteed, which allows for the continuity of the national vaccination strategy and to maintain population protection against the outbreak registered in the country. During the morning conference 'La mañanera del pueblo', Dr. David Kershenobich, Secretary of Health, presented an assessment of the current situation of measles and the progress achieved in the application of doses nationwide. Mexico currently has 23 million 529 thousand doses of measles vaccine, a volume that allows for addressing the outbreak and maintaining population vaccination in the coming years. As part of the supply strengthening, 27.3 million vaccines were acquired in 2026, of which 3 million 836 thousand doses have already been delivered so far this year, ensuring the operational continuity of the strategy. The official emphasized that these figures reflect that the country has a sufficient number of vaccines for the next two years, allowing for uninterrupted progress in population protection. Key axes of the national vaccination strategy The strategy contemplates three key moments aimed at closing coverage gaps: Vaccination in early childhood, application of second doses and catch-up schemes for people who were not vaccinated in a timely manner. Priority attention to high-risk groups, which include girls and children aged 12 and 18 months, the lagging population aged 2 to 9 years, health personnel, education personnel, and agricultural day laborers, due to their high mobility. Extraordinary measure of early protection, with the application of a zero dose to girls and children aged 6 to 11 months, implemented as a response to the outbreak. Progress in dose application and origin of the outbreak To date, 11 million 853 thousand 684 doses of measles vaccine have been applied nationwide, as part of regular vaccination and intensive control actions. Authorities indicated that the current outbreak is associated with vaccination delays derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, a period in which millions of girls and children did not complete their schemes, a situation observed both in Mexico and other countries in America and Europe. Risk of transmission and immediate response The Secretary of Health recalled that measles is one of the most contagious viruses, with a transmission capacity significantly higher than that observed in COVID-19. With vaccines available, targeted actions, and joint work between institutions, the country maintains its path to protect the health of the population and reduce the risk of measles transmission in the national territory. While a person with COVID could infect four, a single case of measles can generate up to 15 or 16 infections, in addition to the fact that the virus can remain in the environment for up to two hours. Faced with this characteristic, each confirmed case immediately activates a sanitary cordon, which includes vaccination sweeps in at least 25 blocks around, as well as intensive actions in both urban and rural areas.