Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Andrew Joseph
Published on 2024-02-29 00:01:34
The United Kingdom is currently facing a growing outbreak of measles, prompting the government to launch an advertising campaign to encourage vaccination rates in children. The campaign, which started on March 4, features children discussing the importance of vaccination in protecting against infections like measles and whooping cough. The aim is to remind parents to ensure their children are up-to-date with their immunizations by contacting their general practitioners.
In England, over 600 measles cases have been reported since October, with the majority affecting children under 5 years old. While the initial outbreak was concentrated in Birmingham, clusters have emerged in other areas, including London, where vaccination rates are among the lowest in the country. Health officials believe that the virus has spread to other communities due to a decline in vaccination rates.
The resurgence of measles is not surprising given the drop in vaccination rates, according to Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). A modeling study by the UKHSA projected that London could experience an outbreak of between 40,000 to 160,000 cases, highlighting the potential risks of low vaccination coverage.
To stop the spread of measles, it is crucial that 95% of the population receive the two doses of the measles vaccine, known as MMR. However, in England, only 83.8% of 5-year-olds have received both doses, indicating a concerning decline in vaccination rates over the past decade.
Globally, measles cases have been on the rise, prompting the World Health Organization to urge countries to prioritize childhood vaccination programs. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has warned of an increase in measles cases in the coming months due to sub-optimal vaccination coverage in several European countries.
Measles outbreaks can serve as a warning sign for the return of other vaccine-preventable diseases. The highly infectious nature of the virus makes it likely to resurface first when immunization coverage drops. Measles can lead to severe complications, including hospitalization, pneumonia, and encephalitis, highlighting the importance of vaccination.
The UK’s vaccination campaign includes TV, radio, and online advertisements to raise awareness and encourage parents to vaccinate their children. Efforts are also being made to target communities with low vaccination rates and engage community centers and faith leaders. Despite some parents hesitating to vaccinate their children, surveys show that most parents remain open to the message of vaccination.
The decline in vaccination rates has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, as many routine medical appointments were postponed or conducted virtually. However, health officials are optimistic that the majority of parents are willing to catch up on missed vaccinations for their children. By promoting vaccination and raising awareness about the risks of measles, the UK aims to prevent future outbreaks and protect public health.
