There has been a 59% drop in measles cases between 2000 and 2018. Yet, since 2016, there has been a spike in the number of cases reported. There were over 3,53,000 cases last year while it has already crossed the 4,00,000 mark by mid-November this year. Even as the number of reported measles cases globally … Continue reading Measles cases continue to increase globally since 2016
Measles-rubella vaccine
2.3 million children in India unvaccinated for measles, second highest globally
At 2.3 million, India has the second highest number of children who are not vaccinated against measles. In 2017, 2.9 million children in India under one year of age had not been vaccinated. There were nearly 70,000 cases of measles in India in 2018, the third highest in the world. In 2018, measles caused an … Continue reading 2.3 million children in India unvaccinated for measles, second highest globally
Infants become susceptible to measles earlier than thought
In countries that have eliminated or nearly eliminated measles, maternal antibodies against the virus have been found to protect infants for only first three months after birth and not six months as is commonly believed. This leaves infants vulnerable to infection for about nine months before the first dose of measles vaccine can be given. … Continue reading Infants become susceptible to measles earlier than thought
What led to spread of measles for nearly a year in New York
Though measles vaccine coverage is high in the U.S., the reason why the two outbreaks in New York City and New York State lasted for almost a year boils down to gaps and disparities in vaccine coverage between communities. Nearly 20 years after being declared measles-free, on October 3, 2019, the United States escaped by … Continue reading What led to spread of measles for nearly a year in New York
Jaggi Vasudev gives booster dose for anti-vaxxer movement
The highly dangerous and sweeping statement on vaccine side-effects will give anti-vaxxers the much needed impetus and ammunition to scare parents from vaccinating their children. After all, stirring fear in the minds of people by falsely blaming vaccines for unrelated diseases is the bedrock of the anti-vaccination movement. In January 2019, the World Health Organization … Continue reading Jaggi Vasudev gives booster dose for anti-vaxxer movement
Vaccine hesitancy and the deadly spread of measles
With 3,65,000 cases of measles reported globally in the first six months of this year, vaccine hesitancy appears to have grown more dangerous to public health. In 121 Indian districts that have higher rates of unimmunised children, 24% did not get vaccinated due to apprehension about adverse effects. With 30% increase in measles cases across … Continue reading Vaccine hesitancy and the deadly spread of measles
Sri Lanka: Island of hope in the midst of global measles resurgence
Even as Europe is seeing a resurgence of measles with 1,60,000 cases and more than 100 deaths between January 2018 and May 2019, on July 9, Sri Lanka became the fourth country in the Asian region to eliminate it. There are many lessons that Europe and the Americas can learn from Sri Lanka. On July 9, Sri Lanka became … Continue reading Sri Lanka: Island of hope in the midst of global measles resurgence
WHO’s website for vaccine safety information gains traction
The extent to which rumours about the safety of vaccines can impact the number of children vaccinated was witnessed in Tamil Nadu during the measles-rubella vaccination drive last month. Only about 50% of 17.6 million children between nine months and 15 years age in the State were vaccinated at the end of the campaign period … Continue reading WHO’s website for vaccine safety information gains traction
Low measles-rubella vaccination coverage may cause more cases of congenital rubella syndrome
Only about 50 per cent of children aged nine months to 15 years in Tamil Nadu have been vaccinated by the measles-rubella combination vaccine since the campaign was launched. Unless and otherwise the vaccination coverage is increased to over 90%, there is a high possibility that the State would witness more rubella infections among older … Continue reading Low measles-rubella vaccination coverage may cause more cases of congenital rubella syndrome
Why India needs the rubella vaccine?
Buoyed by the successful elimination of polio six years ago and maternal and neonatal tetanus and yaws in 2016, India has set an ambitious target of eliminating measles and controlling congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), caused by the rubella virus, by 2020. While two doses of measles vaccine given at 9-12 months and 16-24 months have … Continue reading Why India needs the rubella vaccine?
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