Major Vaccination Campaign Underway

Mexico's Health Ministry confirmed the administration of 26.7 million measles doses under its National Immunization Strategy 2026, aimed at strengthening health coverage before the influx of international visitors during the World Cup, according to reporting based on official government data. The campaign will continue through the summer across IMSS-Bienestar clinics, health centers, and hospitals nationwide.

The government acquired 27.3 million measles vaccines for free distribution across the healthcare system. Priority groups include children aged 12 and 18 months, children ages 2 to 9 with incomplete vaccination history, healthcare workers, educators, and agricultural laborers, according to health sector reports.

Mexico Faces Regional Outbreak

The vaccination push comes as Mexico faces a serious public health challenge. The country closed 2025 and entered 2026 with the highest number of measles cases in the Americas, with more than 15,000 accumulated cases. This has triggered intensified health alerts from the Pan American Health Organization and heightened surveillance at border zones.

Federal authorities have ramped up vaccination efforts in 11 priority states, with extended campaigns in border regions and areas with lower coverage. Active case monitoring is underway at airports, ports, and World Cup venues. Health experts note that Mexico had eliminated endemic measles transmission and this vaccination push aims to maintain that status, officially recognized by the Pan American Health Organization.

Broader Health Measures

The measles campaign is part of a wider health strategy that also includes expanded dengue and COVID-19 monitoring, active variant surveillance, and ongoing efforts to eliminate Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites in high-tourism states.

What's Next

The Health Ministry will publish progress updates by late June, including state-by-state vaccination data and case counts from the tournament's opening weeks, with a target to maintain coverage above 90%.

Sources