2023-12-14 00:01:06
UNICEF warns of the increase in the number of measles cases, attributable to the decline in vaccination coverage among children in the region.
Between January and December 5, 2023, 30 601 cases of measles were recorded in Europe and Central Asia, compared to 909 for the whole of 2022. This represents an increase of 3,266 % of the number of cases recorded for this disease, although it is preventable by vaccination, warned UNICEF.
The data also indicates that this trend has recently worsened, with the number of measles cases in Europe and Central Asia almost doubling between October and November 2023. Cases in the region are expected to increase further due to gaps in vaccine protection.
« There is no clearer sign of deteriorating vaccination coverage than the increase in the number of measles cases. Such a dramatic increase requires urgent attention and public health measures to protect children from this dangerous and deadly disease “, said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF regional director for Europe and Central Asia.
Measles has a devastating effect on the health of children, with sometimes disastrous consequences. It permanently weakens children’s immune systems, making them more vulnerable to other infectious diseases, including pneumonia.
Highest rate of measles cases recorded in Kazakhstanwith 69 cases per 100 000 inhabitants, or 13 254 cases, according to the latest available data. Kyrgyzstan ranks second with 58 cases per 100 000 inhabitants, or 3 811 cases. Romania, which announced a national measles epidemic last week, has a rate of 9.6 cases per 100 000 inhabitants, or 1 855 cas.
The increase in the number of measles cases is explained by a decrease in vaccination coverage in the region. Declining demand for vaccines – fueled in part by misinformation and mistrust that worsened during and after the COVID-19 pandemic –, disruption of health services and fragility of primary health care systems are among the factors that contributed to this situation.
The latest data shows thatenviron 931 000 children in Europe and Central Asia were totally or partially deprived of routine vaccinations between 2019 and 2021. In Europe and Central Asia, the vaccination rate for the first dose against measles fell by 96 % in 2019 at 93 % in 2022. As these children are now past the age where vaccines are routinely administered, greater efforts must be made to ensure that they catch up on vaccination.
To reach every child, UNICEF urges countries in the region to:
- Urgently identify and reach all childrenespecially those who have not been vaccinated.
- Strengthening demand for vaccinesnotably by establishing trust.
- Prioritize funding for immunization services and primary health care.
- Building resilient health systems by investing in health workers, innovation and local production.
UNICEF is working with governments, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and other partners to generate evidence, identify missed children and missed communities, understand root causes decline from a demand and supply perspective and assess context-specific causes and risk factors. UNICEF uses this data to develop and implement strategies to help governments in Europe and Central Asia vaccinate every child.
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