New Delhi: The World Health Organization has urged all countries in South-East Asia to take immediate and rapid measures against measles, which is on the rise as nearly nine million children have missed vaccinations over the past two years. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, said in a press release, “The strong political commitment, determination, focused and concerted effort, and community support that marked our efforts to eradicate polio, now It is urgently needed to prevent and stop measles outbreaks and accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease.”
He made these remarks on the 12th anniversary of last case of polio virus in the South East Asia region. As of 2019, measles vaccination coverage has reached an all-time high of 94 percent coverage for the first dose and 83 percent coverage for the second dose, according to a press release issued by the World Health Organization.
On #polio anniversary of the last case, @WHO calls for immediate action to eliminate #Measles, Nearly million children in the region have not been vaccinated and millions more have been partially vaccinated against the deadly disease #Epidemic Childhood immunization coverage hit.
https://t.co/u4fUsHi0jW pic.twitter.com/1y7HpcV6xF– WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSERO) January 13, 2023
This was further reduced to 86 percent and 76 percent, respectively, in 2021, leaving nine million children unvaccinated against measles and about 5.3 million children partially vaccinated against the disease. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh stressed that the world needs to close the immunity gap for high impact.
He stressed that countries must ensure adequate investment in laboratory-supported case-based surveillance for the timely detection of measles cases and outbreaks so that an appropriate response against the disease can be initiated. He commended the countries of the region for their sustained efforts against polio.
According to the press release, the region reported the last case of polio virus from Howrah in West Bengal. He stressed that all countries are taking several initiatives to revive and resume child immunization coverage and surveillance activities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s been years since the last case of #wild Poliovirus was detected from West Bengal in the WHO South-East Asia Region, #India, The region continues to maintain its polio-free status. pic.twitter.com/A2orxw08fb– WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSERO) January 13, 2023
Dr. Poonam Khetarpal Singh said that the nations need to sustain and further strengthen the efforts to maintain the polio-free status of the region.
Dr. Khetrapal said, “The decline in vaccine coverage due to COVID-19, and interruptions and delays in vaccination and surveillance activities, make the region vulnerable to large outbreaks, and to the 2023 target of measles and rubella elimination.” derails.”
“We urgently need to close immunity gaps with tailored approaches for highest impact, such as through catch-up campaigns, and strengthening routine immunization with better microplanning,” he added.