Unicef and the World Health Organization sound the alarm: the increase in measles cases in January and February 2022 is a worrying sign of the increased risk of spreading vaccine-preventable diseases and could trigger larger outbreaks, which will affect millions of children throughout the year.
Nearly 17,338 measles cases were reported worldwide in January and February 2022, compared to 9,665 in the first two months of 2021. A worrying increase of 79%.
Disruptions linked to the pandemic, growing inequalities in access to vaccines and the diversion of resources from routine vaccinations – the joint note reads – are leaving too many children without protection against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The risk of major outbreaks has increased as communities loosened social distancing practices and other Covid prevention measures implemented during the most acute phase of the pandemic. In addition, with millions of people displaced by crises and conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia and Afghanistan, disruptions to vaccination services, lack of clean water and sanitation, and overcrowding increase the risk of outbreaks. vaccine preventable diseases.
Measles, dangerous because it is able to “reset” the immune system
FABIO DI TODARO
Measles and other infectious diseases
Since measles is highly contagious, cases tend to come on quickly as vaccination levels drop. Agencies are concerned that measles outbreaks could also herald outbreaks of other diseases that don’t spread as quickly.
In addition to its direct effect on the body, which can be lethal, the measles virus also weakens the immune system and makes the baby more vulnerable to other infectious diseases such as pneumonia and the diarrhea, even for months after measles infection among those who survive. Most cases occur in contexts that have faced social and economic hardship due to Covid, conflicts or other crises, and have chronically weak health system infrastructures and conditions of insecurity.
“Measles is more than a dangerous and life-threatening disease. It is also a first indication that there are gaps in our global vaccination coverage, gaps that vulnerable children cannot afford,” he said. Catherine Russell, director general of UNICEF – It is encouraging that people in many communities are starting to feel protected enough from Covid to return to more social activities. But doing it in places where children aren’t getting routine vaccinations creates the perfect storm for the spread of a disease like measles. “
Where are the measles outbreaks in the world
In 2020, 23 million children skipped basic childhood vaccinations via routine health services, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019. As of April 2022, agencies record 21 major and disruptive measles outbreaks around the world in the past 12 months.
Most measles cases have been reported in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region. The figures are likely higher, as the pandemic has disrupted surveillance systems globally, with potential underestimation. Countries with the largest measles outbreaks since last year include Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Ethiopia.
Millions of vaccinations postponed
Insufficient measles vaccination coverage is the main reason for outbreaks wherever they occur.
“The Covid pandemic has disrupted vaccination services, health systems have been overwhelmed and we are now seeing a reappearance of deadly diseases, including measles. For many other diseases, the impact of these vaccination service disruptions is will be felt for decades to come – he declared Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General -. It is time to get essential vaccinations back up and running and to launch recovery campaigns so that everyone can have access to these life-saving vaccines. “
As of April 1, 2022, 57 vaccine-preventable disease campaigns in 43 countries that had been scheduled since the start of the pandemic remain postponed, impacting 203 million people, most of whom are children.
Of these, 19 are measles campaigns, putting 73 million children at risk of measles due to lack of vaccinations. In Ukraine, the 2019 measles recovery campaign was halted due to the pandemic and later due to the war. Routine and recovery campaigns are needed wherever access is possible to help ensure there are no repeat outbreaks like in 2017-2019, when there were over 115,000 measles cases and 41 deaths in the country – the highest incidence in Europe.
Covid and disease kill more than bombs in Ukraine
by Valentina Arcovio
The 95 percent threshold
95% or greater coverage with two doses of the safe and effective measles vaccine can protect children from measles disease. However, disruptions related to the pandemic have delayed the introduction of the second dose of the measles vaccine in many countries.
As countries work to respond to outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases and to make up for lost ground, UNICEF and WHO, along with partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Measles & Partners Rubella Initiative (m & ri), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others, are supporting actions to strengthen vaccination systems: restoring vaccination services and campaigns so that countries can carry out routine vaccination programs, helping health care professionals and community leaders to actively communicate with carers to explain the importance of vaccinations, identifying communities not yet reached by immunization campaigns, and ensuring that delivery of the Covid vaccine is funded in independently and well integrated into the overall planning of vaccination services without going to the detriment of others.