Where Does U.S. Measles Immunization Rate Rank in World?

Although roughly 84 percent of children across the world received MMR vaccinations (measles, mumps, and rubella), in 2013, approximately 400 deaths due to measles occurred worldwide every day for a total of 145,700 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. During the period from 2000 – 2013, those MMR vaccinations prevented an estimated 15.6 million possible deaths.

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According to a study done by the World Health Organization that monitored immunization statistics across the globe, the United States ranked significantly lower on the chart behind 122 countries who vaccinate a higher percentage of their 1-year-old children. The United States vaccinates approximately 91 percent of its children. 

Kyrgyzstan leads the top of the chart at 99 percent immunization coverage. The highest ranking countries also include the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Malta, Kuwait, Nicaragua, Albania, Morocco, and the Czech Republic at 99 percent. The lowest ranking country is the Central African Republic at 25 percent immunization. Only four countries fall beneath the 50 percent threshold, and the other three include South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, and Somalia.

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The Washington Post notes that one reason why the United States ranks significantly lower in immunization rates than other countries is because it has deemed that measles is “eliminated” already, and thus allows for a more relaxed attitude towards immunization. 

But the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) notes that since 2000, the annual number of reported cases of measles in the United States as ranged from 37 in 2004 to 668 in 2014. Most recently, from Dec. 2014 – Feb. 2015, a 125-case measles outbreak occurred in California that spread from initial exposure to the virus at the Disneyland theme park. 

Because the virus spreads so quickly amongst unvaccinated victims, the CDC recommends that all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccination, and that anyone considering international travel that is unvaccinated should receive two doses of vaccination at least 28 days apart.

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