The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), based on an in-depth analysis of vaccination data registered in the e-health system, has found insufficient measles vaccination coverage. In certain child age groups, only about 85% of children have been vaccinated according to the immunisation schedule.
In the age groups analysed by SPKC — from 16 to 36 months and from eight to nine years — a total of 50,645 children were registered. Of these, only around 85% have been vaccinated in accordance with the schedule.
The Centre’s data show that 15.4% of children aged 16 to 24 months are unvaccinated, while among those aged 25 to 36 months (three years old), 10.1% are unvaccinated. Meanwhile, among children aged eight to nine, 17.8% have not received the measles booster vaccination.
This means that every tenth three-year-old child is not protected against measles, and among eight- to nine-year-olds, nearly one in five lacks the necessary protection, SPKC emphasises.
Regional analysis shows significant differences in vaccination coverage.
The highest coverage is in the Zemgale region, reaching 90.1%, while the lowest is in the Riga region, where it is 82.7%.
SPKC points out that overall measles vaccination coverage in the country does not reach the 95% level required for herd immunity and for preventing the spread and outbreaks of measles. Therefore, the risk of further spread of the infection among non-immune individuals in Latvia is high.
The Centre reminds that measles is not a mild childhood disease. Non-immune individuals can contract measles at any age, and the disease can cause serious complications, including otitis (middle ear infection), prolonged diarrhoea, pneumonia, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
The highest risk of severe disease is among children under five years of age, adults over 20, pregnant women, and people with immunosuppression, including those with HIV infection, leukaemia, and other conditions.
SPKC also explains that the measles virus spreads easily through the air,
meaning infection can occur not only through direct contact with an infected person but also by being in a room where the infected person has previously been.
The Centre stresses that measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, and the most effective way to protect oneself and others is vaccination.
Due to vaccination, measles incidence in Latvia has decreased by more than 99.9% compared to the period before vaccination began in 1968. Unlike many other European countries, Latvia has not experienced major measles outbreaks for many years.
Since vaccination is the only effective way to protect against measles, SPKC urges residents to check their children’s vaccination status. If parents are unsure, the Centre recommends contacting a family doctor.
If symptoms characteristic of measles appear — elevated body temperature, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and later a red spotted rash — individuals should stay at home and contact their family doctor.
From 2019 to 2025, only two imported measles cases were registered in Latvia, and the virus did not spread further.
However, as reported, a measles outbreak is currently ongoing in Latvia. As of the 7th of April, 42 cases have been registered. Cases have been identified across different age groups, including 29 children, none of whom were vaccinated against measles.
SPKC has contacted family doctors, sending detailed information on measles vaccination coverage to family doctor associations and urging them to actively reach out to unvaccinated patients.
It has been reported that of the total 42 registered cases, one was in a child under five, 13 cases were among children aged six to ten, 14 among those aged 11 to 15, and one case in the 16 to 20 age group.
No cases have been registered among those aged 21 to 30. Among adults, one case was recorded in the 31–35 age group, two in 36–40, three in 41–45, four in 46–50, and three in 51–55.
Of all those infected, 26 are women and 16 are men.
As SPKC representative Ilze Ūdre told the LETA news agency, multiple institutions and workplaces are involved in the outbreak, although a common chain of transmission can still be traced. As the number of cases increases, the number of identified contacts is very large and constantly changing.
A large proportion of those infected are students of the Riga Waldorf School.
SPKC urges parents and family doctors to check children’s vaccination status. According to the vaccination schedule, the first dose should be administered at 12 to 15 months of age, and the booster at seven years.
If vaccination has not been carried out at the appropriate age, individuals can receive it as a state-funded healthcare service up to the age of 25.
Given the worsening situation related to the measles outbreak, the Ministry of Health has committed to finding the necessary funding already this year to provide earlier protection against measles within the childhood vaccination schedule, the ministry informed LETA following a meeting of the National Immunisation Council and the National Measles and Rubella Elimination Commission.
It is planned to use the combined MMR vaccine — which protects against measles, rubella, and mumps — by moving the booster dose from seven years to four years of age.
The Ministry of Health will seek funding for this purpose within the existing budget.
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