Parental refusal is behind growing measles cases in Almaty

 Parental refusal to vaccinate their children is behind growing measles cases in children in Almaty city, Kazinform News Agency reports. 

According to Kassymkhan Alpysbaiuly, head of the sanitary epidemiological control of the city, 2,771 confirmed measles cases have been registered in Almaty. They include 2,170 measles cases in children under 14, 113 in those aged from 15 to 18, and 488 in adults.

Measles cases are largely registered in unvaccinated children due to refusal to vaccinate as well as medical exemptions to vaccination and not reaching the vaccination age. Of the 2,170 kids, 2,054 are unvaccinated against measles, including 1,466 due to refusal to vaccinate, 289 due to medical conditions, 292 – due to not reaching the vaccination age, and six due to other reasons, said the head of the sanitary epidemiological control of Almaty city.

19,092 people coming into contact with those infected with measles are under medical supervision for the 12-day incubation period.

The region has launched the measles, rubella, mumps vaccination catch-up with 13,989 children receiving the vaccines so far.