THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING VACCINATED AGAINST MEASLES

Measles is a serious, highly contagious disease that could be eradicated by effective vaccination. But experts predict that the Covid-19 pandemic could result in alarming outbreaks.

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Measles is generally thought of as a childhood disease, but it can also affect adults. Children under five and adults older than 20 are more likely to suffer complications. Worldwide, there were more than 207,500 measles related deaths in 2019, mainly children under five (2020 figures are not yet available). This was almost a 50% increase in deaths since 2016. With measles already viewed as a global health problem, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) are concerned that the Covid-19 pandemic could make the measles situation even worse due to people avoiding clinics and hospitals to get vaccinations, as well as an increase in malnourishment in children.

Vaccination coverage needs to be at 95% to be effective. There are two measles vaccine doses, given six months apart. Although the vaccine is readily available, many countries do not manage to reach their targets. Not one African country has achieved measles elimination.

One problem is that children receive the first vaccination, but not the second, because parents forget or they can’t get to the clinics because they live too far away. This means the children are not protected. The second problem is that some parents choose not to vaccinate their children because they believe the vaccine could be harmful.

Related article: The A-Z of children’s health

IMPACT OF COVID-19
A recent article in The Lancet, a respected medical journal, is a call to immediate action to prevent measles outbreaks in 2021. The authors point out that the pandemic is likely to have a negative impact on measles. Although there were fewer reported measles cases in the first half of 2020, this is thought to be due to lockdown regulations preventing the spread of infections.

But lockdown also interrupted immunisation programmes, and the WHO estimates that 94 million children worldwide are at high risk because of these delays. Covid-19 has affected the economy of every country, leading to increased malnutrition in the most vulnerable communities. Children who die of measles are often malnourished. Another food and poverty related problem is that a deficiency of vitamin A can lead to measles-related blindness. But measles complications can occur among children of any socioeconomic status.

Related article: Family health history: Why it’s important and what to know

SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Measles starts with cold-like symptoms followed by a rash a few days later. Don’t delay in seeking medical attention.

MEASLES SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

• Runny nose, sneezing
• Watery eyes, swollen eyelids
• Red, sore eyes, sensitive to light
• Cough
• Fever
• Aches and pains
• Small greyish-white spots inside the mouth
• Tiredness
• No appetite
• Flat, blotchy rash, starting on head and neck

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

1. The article mentions three actions:
2. Help countries reach children who haven’t been vaccinated through catch-up immunisation campaigns.
3. The WHO has a Strategic Response Plan to help countries prevent, prepare for and respond to outbreaks.
4. There is an international plan for strengthening routine immunisation and surveillance of measles and rubella (German measles).

Related article: Taking a shot at almost forgotten diseases

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
In South Africa, measles vaccinations are usually given at six months and then again at 12 months. Check whether your children have had both vaccinations. If you’re not sure, discuss it with your doctor or clinic sister. It’s never too late to get a catch-up measles vaccination, even as an adult. Tell your family and friends, especially those living in rural areas, about the importance of children being properly immunised against measles.

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