Nearly 65% of Brazilian cities fall short on second-dose measles vaccination

Nearly 65% of Brazilian cities missed the measles second-dose target between January and August 2026.

The figures cover the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in 3,589 of Brazil’s 5,570 municipalities, where average second-dose coverage was below 95%.

The national rate for the second dose was 79.78%, well below the 95% goal; first-dose coverage among children up to one year old was 94.66%.

Children are scheduled to receive the first dose at 12 months and the second at 15 months, while unvaccinated adolescents and adults are also advised to get vaccinated.

Brazil has no endemic measles circulation, but the country still records occasional cases, and most infected people had not been vaccinated.

By October 5, 52 imported cases had been recorded, including 41 in São Paulo state, 10 in Amazonas and one in Rio de Janeiro, with no deaths.

The vaccine is available through municipal health services across the country, and the figures show that second-dose coverage remains below the national target.