According to Shagaltaeva, 96% of all those infected are children under 14 years old. In particular, 28% of them are children under one year old, 60% are aged 1 to 4 years, 6.4% are aged 5 to 9 years, and 1.5% are teenagers aged 10 to 14 years. Additionally, 1.7% of cases have been registered among youth aged 15 to 19 years, and 2.7% among adults over 20 years old.
Statistics also indicate that 95% of those infected (a total of 385 cases) are unvaccinated children. Of these, 257 cases (63.8%) occurred due to refusal of vaccination, 112 children (28%) could not be vaccinated due to age limitations, 9 cases (2%) were missed vaccination opportunities, and 7 cases (1.8%) were due to medical contraindications. Furthermore, among individuals with no vaccination data, 18 cases (4.4%) of measles have been registered.
In light of this situation, Shagaltaeva instructed the head of the city's public health department to analyze the vaccination of children and adolescents up to 18 years old, as well as to organize additional immunization measures for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children. Vaccination of children aged 6 to 10 months is also planned.
“It is necessary to ensure a high level of vaccinations among children of target ages against measles, rubella, and mumps at the ages of 1 year and 6 years,” she added in her decree.
In the event of measles cases being identified in kindergartens, schools, and universities, it is essential to immediately begin sanitary and anti-epidemic measures, including emergency vaccination of all eligible staff within 72 hours of the detection of the case, taking into account vaccination history and the absence of medical contraindications. Daily medical monitoring should be conducted for contacts until the end of the incubation period.
Additionally, the chief sanitary doctor of Astana recommended not to allow the planned hospitalization of children without measles vaccination and not to admit unvaccinated children to schools during the incubation period following the last identified case of the disease.
In kindergarten groups, there should be at least 90% vaccinated children or children with documented immunity. Educational institutions should organize a "morning filter" before each shift, which will help prevent students and teachers with signs of acute respiratory diseases and measles from attending classes.
All anti-epidemic measures should continue until the measles situation in the city improves.
