Post‑Measles Complications and Mortality in Children under Five Years in Low‑ and Middle‑Income Countries: A Narrative Review

Background

Global measles vaccination programs have achieved significant reductions in measles‑related mortality, with World Health Organization (WHO)‑led initiatives expanding vaccine coverage to over 85% of children worldwide. Despite this progress, measles elimination remains elusive, undermined by anti‑vaccine sentiment, armed conflicts, migration, refugee crises, and post‑COVID‑19 disruptions. No WHO region has achieved or sustained measles elimination status since the COVID‑19 pandemic, and elimination remains challenging in resource‑limited and conflict‑affected contexts. A critical yet underappreciated consequence of this ongoing burden is the rise of post‑measles complications (PMCs). Vaccine‑preventable diseases and malnutrition constitute two critical global health priorities; PMCs represent an important intersection of these agendas that warrant greater attention within the global health framework.