Nearly 40 million children are susceptible to measles due to the disruption of the COVID-19 epidemic
Pandemic-related disruption caused 25 million boys and girls to miss their first dose of measles vaccine last year, while another 14.7 million missed a second dose.
The record drop in measles vaccine coverage represents a significant setback in global progress against the disease.
pandemic paradox
“The paradox of the pandemic is that while vaccines against COVID-19 was developed in record time and deployed in The biggest vaccination campaign in historyroutine immunization programs have been severely disrupted and millions of children have missed out on life-saving vaccines against deadly diseases like measles.” speak Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who WHO General manager.
“Getting immunization programs back on track is absolutely important. Behind every statistic in this report is a child’s risk of a preventable disease,” he added.
Globally, there are an estimated 9 million measles cases in 2021 and 128,000 deaths.
Twenty-two countries have experienced major and disruptive outbreaks, some of which have continued this year.
The imminent threat is everywhere
The decline in vaccine coverage, poor measles surveillance, as well as continued interruptions and delays in vaccination due to the pandemic, have made measles an imminent threat to every region of the world.
The report says the situation is dire because measles is one of the most contagious viruses in humans, although it is almost entirely preventable with a vaccine.
Coverage of 95 percent or more of two doses of vaccine is required to confer herd immunity to protect the community.
However, global coverage rates are at their lowest level since 2008, although they vary by country.
Currently, only 81% of children receive the first dose of measles vaccine and 71% of children receive a second dose.
A nurse delivers vaccines to remote villages on the banks of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Identify communities at risk
The report warns that measles anywhere is a threat everywhere, as the virus can quickly spread across communities and across borders.
Furthermore, none of the six WHO regions worldwide have achieved and maintained measles elimination.
“Record number of children unvaccinated and susceptible to measles shows deep damage Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, Director of the CDC said immunization systems have maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Measles outbreaks expose weaknesses in vaccination programs, but public health officials can use outbreak response to identify at-risk communities, understand the causes of under-vaccination and help deliver locally tailored solutions to ensure everyone is vaccinated.”
Action and investment
Report urges public health officials speed up and boost vaccination efforts right now.
Coordinated action by all partners and at all levels – global, regional, national and local – is needed to prioritize efforts towards find and immunize all unprotected children.
Investment in robust surveillance systems is also needed to minimize the risk of outbreaks.
