Morocco is witnessing a sharp rise in measles cases, with over 20,000 infections and more than 116 deaths reported since 2023. Health experts are sounding the alarm, urging parents to vaccinate their children and help prevent the spread of the disease, Morocco’s National channel SNRT reported on Thursday.
After several years of effective control, Morocco has seen a troubling resurgence of measles since September 2023. More than 20,000 cases have been confirmed, including 44 fatalities among children under five.
These numbers have led some specialists to speak of an impending epidemic. Despite this, the Ministry of Health has not formally declared an epidemic, although it has taken action by launching an extensive vaccination campaign.
Pediatrician and President of the Moroccan Society of Medical Sciences, Said Afif, explains that the country had made significant progress in eradicating measles through a national vaccination program that reached 11 million people between 9 months and 19 years old.
The program resulted in a 97% vaccination coverage rate, far above the 95% threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent outbreaks. However, the trend has reversed in recent years, primarily due to a decline in vaccination rates linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing healthcare strikes.
Afif suggests that many parents believe in the misconception that if a child misses the vaccination by 18 months, it’s too late to get vaccinated. “This is absolutely false,” Afif says. “Anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated, regardless of their age, should get the vaccine, and it is essential to receive both doses.”
In response to the growing number of cases, the Ministry of Health has rolled out a catch-up vaccination program aimed at people aged 9 months to 19 years. The Ministry of Education is also involved in verifying students’ vaccination records at schools and encouraging parents to check their children’s vaccination status. The government is urging all parents, even those unsure of their child’s vaccination history, to ensure they receive both vaccine doses.
Dr. Afif highlighted that vaccination is the only reliable way to control the outbreak and prevent further deaths. “The measles vaccine has been in use for over 40 years, and it is safe and highly effective,” he says.
The doctor also mentions that the vaccine protects 98% of those who receive both doses.
He added, “The claims circulating on social media about the vaccine’s inefficacy and potential dangers are dangerous misinformation. People spreading these false claims are contributing to the current crisis.”