The number of measles cases among children increased 262 times over the year

The number of registered cases of measles among children from the beginning of the year to September exceeded 4.9 thousand. This is 262 times more than during the same period in 2022 (19 cases). Such data was presented by Leila Namazova-Baranova, chief freelance pediatric specialist in preventive medicine of the Ministry of Health.

“As soon as we weaken our vaccination efforts, infections return,” said a representative of the Ministry of Health at the all-Russian conference “Best practices in approaches to developing immunization programs.” In her opinion, the coronavirus pandemic has clearly demonstrated how a decrease in the number of vaccinations affects the growth of infectious diseases around the world.

According to data provided by the Ministry of Health, the number of cases of other infectious diseases is also growing. Thus, from the beginning of the year to September 2023, 63 thousand cases of influenza among children were recorded. This is 799% more than during the same period in 2022 (7 thousand cases). The increase in whooping cough incidence was 965%. Last year, more than 1.6 thousand cases were registered, and in 2023 – already more than 17.4 thousand.

“Therefore, today we must remember that it is important not only to maintain high coverage, but most importantly, vaccination. That is, so that children and other target groups are vaccinated exactly as prescribed in the calendar. Otherwise, many of our efforts will naturally come to naught,” says the chief freelance pediatric specialist in preventive medicine.

This fall, one of the faculties of Moscow State University closed for three weeks due to measles. In the spring, two cases of measles were already recorded at the university. Afterwards, the sick were found among students of MGIMO, University of Oil and Gas named after. Gubkin and Moscow Polytechnic University.

According to data Rospotrebnadzor, cited by Medvestnik, over the nine months of this year, 288 times more cases of measles were identified among adults in Russia than a year earlier. According to experts, this is due to the consequences of the pandemic, a shortage of measles vaccines, as well as increased anti-vaccination sentiment.

Read more about the situation with measles in Russia in the material “Don’t put measles on our wounds”.

Anastasia Larina