ASTANA, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Alikhan Smailov, has directed the government to address the alarming increase in measles cases in the country, describing it as the most significant surge in a decade.
With approximately 80% of reported cases affecting children under 14, many of whom are unvaccinated, the situation poses serious risks. Smailov emphasized the need for immediate intervention to stabilize the epidemiological landscape.
Expressing concern about parents’ reluctance to vaccinate their children, Smailov highlighted the potential for severe consequences. To combat the surge, Kazakhstan has procured an additional 1.5 million doses of vaccines for a widespread immunization campaign, with a budget allocation of over 3 billion tenge.
Despite these efforts, vaccination rates remain low in certain regions, prompting the government to call on the Healthcare Ministry and local authorities to intensify vaccination efforts against measles. The situation underscores the importance of comprehensive vaccination campaigns to protect public health and prevent the spread of preventable diseases.
