Turkey faces measles surge due to rising vaccine refusal

Turkey is experiencing a significant increase in measles cases, driven by a rise in vaccine refusal and hesitancy. Medical experts report that the number of families opting out of childhood vaccinations has reached approximately 100,000 in 2024. This trend is attributed to anti-vaccination propaganda spreading on social media.

Data indicates a sharp upward trajectory in reported cases. While 127 cases were recorded in 2022, the numbers rose to 500 in 2023, 1,500 in 2024, and are projected to reach approximately 2,000 to 3,000 in 2025. Experts note that measles vaccination coverage in the country has fallen to roughly 92 percent, below the 95 percent threshold required to prevent widespread transmission.

Health specialists warn that the disease is not only affecting children but also adults. Approximately 30 percent of registered cases are accompanied by complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), the latter of which can cause irreversible brain damage.