The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm about the measles outbreaks that may occur in the coming period due to the low rate of immunization of children.
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More than 22 million children did not get the first dose of measles vaccine in 2020, marking the largest increase in two decades. This raises concerns about the outbreak of several outbreaks, according to a new report by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. politico.eu.
While reported cases have dropped by more than 80% in 2020, the risk of measles is actually increasing, informs WHO. The situation is caused by the fact that immunization has decreased. Moreover, the smallest number of samples was sent to the laboratories for testing. This jeopardizes countries’ ability to prevent outbreaks, the WHO warned.
“While reported measles cases have declined in 2020, evidence suggests we are likely to see calm ahead of the storm as the risk of outbreaks continues to rise worldwide,” said Kate O’Brien, director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biology of the WHO.
Postponed campaigns due to the coronavirus pandemic
The 22 million children who missed the first dose mark a 3 million increase from 2019. In addition, only 70 percent of children received the second dose, which is below the required 95 percent target. In total, 24 measles vaccination campaigns, which were planned for 2020, have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
O’Brien said “countries need to ensure that resources for routine immunizations are not diverted to coronavirus vaccination efforts” and that ongoing pandemic vaccinations have been supported by new funding. If this does not happen, she said, “we risk changing one deadly disease with another.”
The situation of COVID-19 at the international level
Between 28 October 2021 and 4 November 2021, 41,150,659 cases were reported in the EU / EEA. Most cases have been reported in France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
To date, on November 11, 1,730,433 cases of infection with the new coronavirus (COVID – 19) have been registered in Romania, of which 9,508 are from reinfected patients, tested positive for more than 180 days after the first one. infection. 1,542,661 patients were declared cured.
In the last 24 hours, 5,416 new cases of people infected with SARS – CoV – 2 (COVID – 19) were registered, of which 73 are of reinfected patients, tested positive for more than 180 days after the first infection.
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