‘Critical’ to get measles vaccine to stem outbreaks: WHO – GLOBAL

March 19, 2024

Vaccinating children who missed their measles shots during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical, a senior World Health Organization official said on Tuesday, as outbreaks of the infectious disease increase worldwide.

More than 50 countries have experienced “large and disruptive” measles outbreaks in the last year, twice as many as in 2022, said Kate O’Brien, WHO director of immunization, at a virtual press conference.

Measles is a very contagious viral illness that causes flu-like symptoms and a rash. It can be fatal but is preventable with two doses of vaccine.

COVID-19 massively disrupted routine vaccination efforts worldwide, and around 60 million children missed their doses over that period, O’Brien said.

She said catch-up efforts were “really critical.”

Read more: https://globalnews.ca/news/10369818/measles-vaccine-outbreaks-who/