![157569806 Shooting up earth, globe dripping out syringe (drugs medicine concept)](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/measles-immunization-needle.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
Measles immunization coverage for 1-year-olds in the U.S. may be at a reasonable-sounding 91%, but there are still more than 100 countries that are more successful at vaccinating their kids against the virus. They include Bangladesh, Russia, Iran and Libya, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
America’s figure of 91% puts it on a par with Angola. To be sure, that’s enormous coverage compared with the Central African Republic (25%) or Equatorial Guinea (42%), but any decline in immunization will leave the country vulnerable as the current measles outbreaks are showing.
The WHO recommends every child be vaccinated against measles with at least one dose before their first birthday.
Countries more successful at immunizing their 1-year-olds than the U.S. include Brazil, Uruguay, Canada, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kenya and nearly all European countries.
From 2012 to 2013 immunization rates in the U.S. saw a slight decline of 1%, the Washington Post reports. The WHO says there are several reasons why the U.S. is being left behind, including complacency and the antivaccine debate.
Read more at the Washington Post.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Melinda French Gates Is Going It Alone
- What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Medications
- How to Buy Groceries Without Breaking the Bank
- Sienna Miller Is the Reason to Watch Horizon
- Why So Many Bitcoin Mining Companies Are Pivoting to AI
- The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Helen Regan at helen.regan@timeasia.com