The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control worried about the decrease in vaccination for young children. There may be an outbreak of measles, diphtheria, whooping cough.
On December 8, 2022, MD. Yotares Krassanirawiwong The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said that due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Thailand in the past 2 years, it is necessary to declare an emergency decree on public administration in all areas of the Kingdom. To control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, which has resulted in a decrease in vaccination coverage among children under the immunization programme. which such situation Healthcare facilities need to limit the number of people receiving services or reduce the frequency of child vaccination services. Including parents may be concerned about taking their children to get vaccinated in a medical facility. which has reduced vaccination coverage May cause outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, etc., in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued warnings in all countries. that the reduction in measles vaccination is making measles, a highly contagious respiratory disease, Become a threat that will occur in every region. Measles causes fever, conjunctivitis, cough, and a red rash that spreads all over the body. In young children, there may be pneumonia complications that can lead to death.
Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said that the Ministry of Public Health now has a plan to accelerate vaccination according to the immunization plan. The Department of Disease Control has visited the area to discuss with the Provincial Public Health Office on strategies to speed up vaccination among targeted children. From the follow up results, the overall vaccination service has decreased for all vaccines. For example, in October 2022, the coverage of the first dose of measles vaccination was 86% and the second dose was 82%, which has decreased from the previous year. 2019, which found that the coverage of the first dose of vaccination was 92% and the second dose of 90%, respectively. It can cause serious complications. If there is an infection among young children or adults The Ministry of Public Health has already prepared the measles vaccine, with the NHSO supporting measles vaccine in young children. who can get the first dose of vaccine at the age of 9 months and receive the second dose of vaccine at the age of 1 and a half years, and the Department of Disease Control will sponsor the measles vaccine for adults at risk However, all target groups can contact for free vaccination services at government hospitals near their homes.
Prof. Thanyawee Putanakit, a pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases, said that the measles virus is very contagious. It can be passed through both small droplets in the air and contact with the patient’s secretions. Symptoms of measles begin with fever, conjunctivitis, cough, then a red rash that spreads all over the body. In young children, complications of pneumonia may occur. Getting the measles vaccine is the best protection. by the Ministry of Public Health There is a measles-mumps-rubella vaccine combination. to all children The first dose can be vaccinated from the age of 9 months. Getting two doses of the vaccine can prevent measles by more than 97 percent. Therefore, parents are invited to bring their children to complete the vaccine as scheduled. For more information, please contact the Department of Disease Control hotline, Tel. 1422.