Measles and Pertussis Burden Rebounds After 2020
Two Global Burden of Disease studies estimate child measles and pertussis burden worldwide from 1990 to 2023.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Diseases — General
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Global measles incidence and mortality fell about 80% and 90% between 1990 and 2019, then rebounded sharply after 2020. Estimates show roughly 15.6 million measles cases and 118,000 deaths worldwide in 2023.
Why it matters
The rebound is attributed to stagnating childhood vaccine coverage, which has left gaps that allow outbreaks of diseases previously brought under control. The findings put renewed pressure on immunization programs to close those gaps across 204 countries and territories.
The modeled estimates count 18.9 million pertussis cases and 115,000 pertussis deaths worldwide in 2023, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for roughly 65% of pertussis deaths. Global MCV2 measles vaccine coverage reached 71.4% in 2023, while the Immunization Agenda 2030 target is 90%.
The players
Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study
A large international research collaboration that produces standardized estimates of disease burden, mortality and risk factors across countries and territories.
The details
The studies, using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2023, track incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years and vaccine coverage among children under 5 from 1990 to 2023. Pertussis age-standardized mortality fell 61.2% and incidence fell 41.6% over the period, but both rebounded after 2020, with incidence up 102.6% and mortality up 66.1% between 2020 and 2023.
Timeline
1990: Study period begins, establishing baseline measles and pertussis estimates.
2019: Measles incidence and mortality reach pre-pandemic lows and MCV1 coverage peaks.
2020: Declines are followed by sharp rebounds in both diseases.
2023: Latest year covered by the burden estimates.
Big Picture
These estimates extend the Global Burden of Diseases 2023 modeling series, which tracks disease burden across 204 countries and territories from 1990 onward. The rebound after 2020 reverses the long decline shown in that series, placing the pandemic-period disruption against decades of steady progress in childhood immunization.
Parents and caregivers should confirm children are up to date on measles and pertussis vaccines, since the study ties the resurgence to coverage gaps. The second MCV2 dose matters too, with global coverage at 71.4% in 2023 against a 90% target.
The takeaway
Vaccine coverage that stalls for several years can reverse decades of progress against childhood diseases. Keeping routine immunizations on schedule remains the most direct way to protect children from measles and pertussis.
Further reading
Explore more on Diseases — General for background on how childhood infections such as measles and pertussis are tracked worldwide.
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