There is a concerning rise in measles cases in the capital. In the past three weeks, 403 cases have been registered, according to Aigul Shagaltaeva, which is a significant increase of 2.8 times compared to the previous week.
Among the infected, 96% are children under 14 years old. Specifically, 28% of them are children under one year old, 60% are aged 1-4 years, 6.4% are from 5 to 9 years old, 1.5% are from 10 to 14 years old, 1.7% are teenagers aged 15-19 years, and 2.7% are adults over 20 years old.
Shagaltaeva also reported that 95% of the infected (385 cases) are unvaccinated children. Of these, 257 cases (63.8%) occurred due to refusal of vaccination, 112 children (28%) were unvaccinated due to their age, 9 cases (2%) were due to missed vaccination opportunities, and 7 cases (1.8%) were for medical reasons. Additionally, 18 cases (4.4%) were registered among those with no vaccination data.
In this regard, the chief public health specialist of the city has been tasked with analyzing the vaccination of children and adolescents up to 18 years old, as well as organizing additional immunization for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals. Furthermore, vaccination for children aged 6 months to 10 months and 29 days is planned.
The resolution also emphasizes the need to achieve an optimal level of vaccination coverage for children against measles, rubella, and mumps at the ages of 1 year and 6 years.
Upon identifying primary measles cases in kindergartens, schools, and universities, immediate sanitary measures must be initiated, including emergency vaccination of all eligible staff within 72 hours of the case detection. This will be carried out considering vaccination history and in the absence of medical contraindications. Daily medical monitoring of contacts is also provided until the end of the incubation period.
The chief sanitary doctor also noted that children will not be admitted for planned hospitalization in pediatric hospitals without a measles vaccination, and unvaccinated children will not be allowed to attend schools during the incubation period following the last identified case.
In kindergartens, the number of vaccinated children must be at least 90%, and educational institutions must organize morning filters before each shift to prevent students and teachers with signs of acute respiratory infections or measles from attending classes.
All anti-epidemic measures must continue until the epidemiological situation regarding measles in the city improves.
