Mexico has confirmed more than 9,000 measles cases and 28 deaths, prompting an accelerated national vaccination campaign supported by expanded supply availability, universal access points and strengthened epidemiological surveillance. The response coincides with federal initiatives to reduce medicine prices through industry dialogue, implement a national medicine supply monitoring system and expand domestic mRNA vaccine production with partners including Moderna, BIRMEX and Laboratorios Liomont. These measures affect pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, healthcare providers and public procurement channels, reinforcing supply chain resilience, regulatory oversight and healthcare system stability in Mexico.
During today’s presidential morning conference, federal health authorities presented an updated national measles report, confirming more than 9,000 cases and 28 deaths since early 2025. Officials outlined an accelerated vaccination strategy, expanded supply availability and reinforced monitoring systems to contain transmission and stabilize medicine access nationwide.
“If we had not vaccinated historically, a virus like measles could generate hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of infections,” said Eduardo Clark García Dobarganes, Deputy Minister, Sectoral Integration and Coordination of Medical Services, during the briefing. He emphasized that universal vaccination remains the primary mechanism to interrupt transmission and prevent severe outcomes.
Updated Epidemiological Overview
According to data presented during the press conference, Mexico has recorded between 9,074 and 9,487 confirmed measles cases between Jan. 1, 2025, and mid-February 2026, out of more than 23,000 probable cases detected through the Special Epidemiological Surveillance System for Febrile Rash Illnesses. The national incidence rate stands at approximately 6.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Authorities confirmed 28 measles-related deaths, representing a case fatality rate below 0.5%. Chihuahua accounts for 21 fatalities, with additional deaths reported in Jalisco, Sonora, Durango, Michoacan, Tlaxcala and Mexico City.
The outbreak began in Chihuahua in February 2025, where cumulative confirmed cases reached roughly 4,500. Clark explained that the initial spread occurred in communities with low vaccination coverage. Following the application of 1.8 million vaccine doses in the state, active cases declined significantly. Officials reported that Chihuahua currently registers minimal new cases.
Jalisco now leads in new confirmed infections for 2026, followed by Chiapas, Sinaloa and Mexico City. Transmission remains active in more than 300 municipalities nationwide.
Epidemiological analysis shows that infants under one year have the highest incidence rate, exceeding 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Children ages one to four and five to nine account for a large proportion of cases. Adults between 20 and 40 years old also represent a significant share, reflecting incomplete vaccination schedules or missed booster doses.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that most Mexicans are vaccinated and urged the public to remain calm. Health Minister David Kershenobich reiterated that immunization protects individuals while also interrupting transmission chains at the community level.
Acceleration of the National Vaccination Strategy
Clark reported that Mexico has applied 16 million measles vaccine doses since February 2025, compared with an annual average of 5 to 6 million doses in non-outbreak years.
Vaccination capacity has expanded rapidly in 2026. Weekly applications increased from approximately 270,000 doses in early January to nearly 1.7 million doses in the second week of February. Authorities aim to reach 2.5 million doses per week in the coming weeks. At that pace, officials noted, Mexico would apply the equivalent of a full year of routine vaccination every two weeks.
The country currently has between 27 million and 28 million measles vaccine doses available, with nearly 20 million additional doses expected by May, bringing total potential availability close to 48 million doses.
More than 21,000 vaccination points operate nationwide through IMSS, ISSSTE, IMSS-Bienestar and state health institutions. Vaccination is universal and free of charge, regardless of affiliation.
Priority groups include children aged six months to 12 years nationwide. In 11 higher-incidence states — Jalisco, Colima, Chiapas, Sinaloa, Durango, Mexico City, Nayarit, Tabasco, Sonora, Tlaxcala and Puebla — authorities are also vaccinating individuals aged 13 to 49 who lack proof of complete immunization.
Clark emphasized that individuals with two documented doses do not require additional boosters.
The resurgence in Mexico forms part of a broader regional trend. In November 2025, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that the Americas no longer met measles elimination criteria after sustained transmission in several countries.
“Measles is the world’s most contagious virus, and these data show once again how it will exploit any gap in our collective defenses,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization, calling for sustained immunization coverage above 95% with two doses.
Supply Oversight and Medicine Pricing Dialogue
The administration has previously reiterated parallel efforts to strengthen medicine affordability and supply oversight.
Sheinbaum confirmed that the government is preparing a strategy to reduce medicine prices without imposing administrative caps, instead pursuing negotiated agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors in coordination with the Ministries of Economy and Health.
“It is not about imposing caps, but rather talking with pharmaceutical companies and distributors because there are some cases where prices are excessive,” the president said.
To reinforce availability across public institutions, the Ministry of Health has launched the Monitoring System for Compliance with the Supply of Health Supplies. The platform tracks deliveries across IMSS, ISSSTE, IMSS-Bienestar, BIRMEX and the ministry itself, measuring fulfillment rates and identifying logistical gaps.
Officials report supply rates near 97% at IMSS, similar levels at ISSSTE and approximately 92% at IMSS-Bienestar, with oncology medicines reaching 96% coverage. The monitoring system is designed to prevent warehouse saturation, address historical payment delays and improve transparency in procurement.
At the manufacturing level, Mexico is advancing a five-year agreement with Moderna, BIRMEX and Laboratorios Liomont to produce messenger RNA vaccines domestically through phased technology transfer, beginning with fill-and-finish operations and progressing toward full production capacity.
Health authorities stated that restoring measles elimination status will depend on sustained vaccination coverage, continued surveillance and coordinated federal-state action. Officials emphasized that vaccination, medicine affordability and supply chain resilience remain central to public health stability and economic continuity as Mexico prepares for increased international mobility in 2026.