Kazakhstan to launch nationwide vaccination of children U5 against measles
In connection with the outbreak of measles throughout Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Healthcare has announced additional vaccination against measles in infants at 6 to 11 months and children aged 2 to 5 years, Kazinform News Agency reports.
As Vice Minister of Healthcare Aizhan Yesmagambetova said at a briefing in the central communications office, the vaccination of children under 1 year will begin next week, and vaccination of children under 5 will begin in December.
According to her, more than 11 thousand measles cases have been registered across the country since early 2023. Most of them are unvaccinated children: 60% are children whose parents refused vaccination, 20% are children with medical exemptions and 20% are children who have not reached the age of vaccination.
The highest incidence is recorded in Shymkent, Almaty cities, as well as in Zhambyl, Almaty and Atyrau regions, said the minister.