The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautioned that the likelihood of measles outbreaks is significant after more than 22 million infants missed their first immunization doses during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Measles infections declined by more than 80% in 2018 compared to 2019, but a higher number of youngsters missed vaccine shots leaving them vulnerable, according to a joint report released on Wednesday by the WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Large numbers of unvaccinated children, measles outbreaks, and disease detection and diagnostics diverted to support COVID-19 responses are all factors that increase the likelihood of measles-related deaths and serious complications in children, according to Kevin Cain, the head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization division. The ability of governments to ensure that children receive both prescribed doses of measles vaccine is an important measure of worldwide progress toward measles elimination and capability to limit the virus’s spread.
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It is extremely harmful to infants and young children, with pneumonia being one of the most common complications. Measles cases were at their highest level in nearly a quarter-century in 2019. Measles monitoring, on the other hand, has deteriorated, with the fewest specimens received for laboratory testing in more than a decade. Weaknesses in measles monitoring, testing, and reporting imperil governments’ ability to avoid outbreaks of this highly contagious disease. In 2020, major measles outbreaks were reported in 26 countries, accounting for 84% of all reported cases. Cases have been increasing and so is pressure government.
According to the most recent data, 24 measles vaccine campaigns planned for 2020 in 23 countries have been postponed, putting more than 93 million people at risk. It is extremely harmful to newborns and young children, with pneumonia being one of the possible outcomes.