Moroccan authorities are racing to contain a major measles outbreak, with over 25,000 cases and 120 deaths recorded since late 2023. The resurgence of the disease, once nearly eradicated in the country, has been linked to falling vaccination rates, largely driven by misinformation and lingering fears from the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Harhoura, a coastal town near Rabat, 13-year-old Salma and her nine-year-old brother, Souhail, waited in a public clinic for their overdue measles shots. Their grandmother, Rabia Maknouni, admitted the family had been unaware they had missed doses. “Their parents panicked when they heard about the outbreak,” she said.
Measles is highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets and lingering in the air for hours. While vaccines offer the best protection, officials warn that widespread distrust of immunisation—fueled by global anti-vaccine movements—has led to dangerous gaps in coverage.
To combat the outbreak, Morocco has launched an aggressive vaccination drive, checking the immunisation status of over 10 million schoolchildren since October. Health officials aim to achieve 95% coverage by the end of March, but progress has been slow. By early March, only half of those needing a booster had received one.
Government spokesman Mustapha Baitas blamed the rise in hesitancy on “false information that fuels public fear of vaccines.” Some parents wrongly believe the measles vaccine is a covert fourth dose of the Covid-19 jab, said Imane El Kohen, head of health programmes at the education ministry.
Nurse Hasna Anouar noted that before the pandemic, childhood vaccinations faced little resistance. “Now, some parents are afraid. We have to sit down and explain why these shots are necessary,” she said.
The outbreak has also raised alarms in France, Morocco’s former colonial ruler and a key trade partner. French health officials have warned travellers to check their vaccination status before visiting.
Beyond Morocco, measles cases are rising worldwide, with vaccine distrust playing a major role. In the US, an unvaccinated child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico recently died from the disease.
Moroccan health officials are intensifying awareness campaigns, particularly in schools, in a bid to rebuild public confidence in vaccines. However, experts warn that overcoming deep-seated fears and misinformation remains a significant challenge.
