Measles situation in Kazakh capital remains unstable
The measles situation in the Kazakh capital remains unstable, Kazinform News Agency quotes chief state sanitary doctor Sarkhat Beissenova as saying at a briefing at the central communications service of Astana city.
As of today, over 731 measles cases were confirmed in Astana, of which over 73% fall on children under 14 years old. Most of them are kids under 4 years that is 430 cases or 59%. 100 out of 430 cases account for babies under 12 months old. 209 measles cases were recorded at educational establishments. 30 of them are students, 58 pupils and 121 are children of preschool age.
She added that 93% of infected children and teens were unvaccinated.
The chief state sanitary doctor reminded that vaccination is the only way to prevent measles spread and its complications. The mass vaccine rollout began in Astana on November 6.
Children who have not been vaccinated before against measles should receive the first dose. Vaccination is free of charge. As of December 6, 16,477 people were vaccinated against measles. The goal is to prevent any lethal cases and measles complications and stabilize the epidemiological situation in the city.