At a meeting in the government of Kazakhstan, issues related to the measles epidemic and vaccination of the population were discussed.
According to the Ministry of Health, by the end of 2024, the measles incidence rate decreased by 85%, however, since the beginning of the current year, 1,951 cases have been registered. The most serious situation is observed in the cities of Astana and Almaty, as well as in the Zhambyl and Atyrau regions. The diseases mainly affect children under five years old, most of whom were not vaccinated, which is linked to parental refusals of vaccinations.
Aida Balaeva, Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized the importance of daily monitoring of the epidemiological situation regarding measles in regional headquarters at akimats. She also highlighted the personal responsibility of local leaders and instructed them to take strict control of the situation. An important task is to activate the information campaign on immunization, as in some regions, especially in the Mangistau region, vaccination targets are not being met.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health reported that 79% of those infected this year were unvaccinated, 8.4% received an incomplete vaccination course, 10% have an unknown immune status, and about 59% of unvaccinated children did not receive vaccinations due to parental wishes.
