SA measles cases hit 3,462 as unvaccinated infants triple
South Africa has reported over 3,400 measles cases this year as childhood vaccination rates continue to decline significantly. Health officials warn that the proportion of unvaccinated infants has tripled, threatening herd immunity and public health gains.
Why it matters
The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases poses a major threat to infant mortality rates and long-term public health stability in the region.
Ask AI 4 min South Africa has recorded 3,462 confirmed measles cases since January, with the majority among children aged 1-14 as vaccination rates continue to fall.
South Africa has recorded 3, 462 laboratory-confirmed measles cases since January 2026, with outbreaks reported in the Western Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Northern Cape, among children aged one to 14 years as vaccination rates continue to fall.
The Department of Health made the disclosure in a media statement on Wednesday.
It called for urgent action to halt declining immunisation coverage and prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that could reverse decades of public health gains, including significant reductions in under-five and infant mortality achieved since the mid-2000s.
Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the proportion of unvaccinated infants - children under one year old who receive no vaccinations - had increased from 12.1% in 2017 to an alarming 36.3% between January and April 2026.
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