São Paulo confirms 15 measles cases; Health Ministry urges wider vaccination
The state of São Paulo has confirmed its 15th case of measles in 2026, a young girl from Guarulhos who is unvaccinated. This marks the first reported case in Guarulhos since 2020. The state's total now stands at 15 infections this year: 12 in the capital city, two in São Bernardo do Campo, and one in Guarulhos. In response, the Ministry of Health has recommended that São Paulo, Guarulhos, and São Bernardo do Campo expand measles vaccination to all individuals aged 6 months to 59 years, irrespective of their vaccination history. This initiative aims to halt virus circulation and prevent the disease's reintroduction into Brazil. The expanded vaccination will be part of the State Health Secretariat's Multivaccination Campaign, commencing on Monday, April 3rd. Beyond the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella), all vaccines from the National Vaccination Calendar for children and adolescents will also be available. Measles vaccination coverage in São Paulo is currently below the national target of 95%, with first-dose coverage at 77.5% and second-dose at 65.5% for 2026, a decline from 2025's figures of 94% and 84.4% respectively. Of the 15 cases, 12 are in the capital, with two imported from Bolivia and Guatemala. The North Zone of São Paulo has the highest concentration, with eight cases across Vila Medeiros and Vila Maria. Two cases occurred in the South Zone's Capão Redondo and Jabaquara neighborhoods. The two patients in São Bernardo do Campo were infected through contact with cases originating from São Paulo city. Infected individuals range from infants under two years old to adults between 20 and 50 years of age. São Paulo is currently the only state experiencing an active measles outbreak in Brazil, defined by interconnected cases forming a transmission chain. Health authorities have yet to identify the initial source of the current outbreak, attributing the linked cases to importation due to viral sequencing. Brazil, which regained its measles elimination certification in 2024 after losing it in 2019, faces renewed concerns as these cases highlight the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates.
The resurgence of measles cases in São Paulo, despite Brazil's recent re-certification for measles elimination, underscores the fragility of herd immunity when vaccination coverage dips below optimal levels. The current outbreak, characterized by interconnected cases and a failure to identify an initial source, suggests potential gaps in surveillance and rapid response mechanisms. The Ministry of Health's recommendation for expanded vaccination, particularly targeting a broad age range regardless of prior status, reflects a strategy to rapidly bolster population immunity. This approach acknowledges that even previously vaccinated individuals may require boosters in the face of circulating virus. The declining vaccination rates from 2025 to 2026 serve as a critical indicator of systemic challenges in maintaining public health infrastructure and vaccine confidence, demanding a proactive, long-term strategy to prevent future outbreaks and safeguard Brazil's hard-won elimination status.
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