WHO Tweeted About The Ongoing Measles Vaccination In Afghanistan

Measles is endemic in Afghanistan, with almost all provinces reporting suspected cases every year. Following periods of lower transmission in 2019 and 2020, and amid the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, weekly notifications of suspected measles cases have been increasing in all provinces since the end of July 2021, with the highest weekly toll observed in the last four weeks in January 2022. Afghanistan has been experiencing a measles resurgence that started at the beginning of 2021. From January 2021 to 13 March 2022, there have been 48 366 cases and 250 deaths. In 2022 alone, there have been over 18 000 cases and 142 children have died of measles in the country.

The rise in measles cases in Afghanistan is especially concerning because of the extremely high levels of malnutrition. Malnutrition weakens immunity, making people more vulnerable to illness and death from diseases like measles – especially children. Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease. Unvaccinated young children are at the highest risk. Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or those whose immune systems have been weakened by other diseases.

The best way to protect people – especially children – from measles is to strengthen routine immunization to ensure that at least 95% of the population has received 2 doses of the vaccine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan is supporting the Ministry of Public Health and provincial health authorities in the management of the vaccination, including technical advice, training of staff, funding for training, costs for operations, as well as with the provision of supplies and logistics.

More than 1.2 million children aged 6–59 months are planned to be vaccinated during the ongoing measles vaccination campaign in Afghanistan. Around 9200 health workers, volunteers, supervisors, and monitors are mobilized to cover 49 districts in 24 provinces in a week-long campaign scheduled 12–17 March 2022.

“This measles immunization campaign is part of the national response measure to stop the spread of the outbreak, save lives of young children and reduce the burden on health systems”, says Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan, who joined the campaign in Malek Mohammad Khan District Hospital in Wardak province. “I appeal to every parent to bring your kids for vaccination and give them the best gift of being protected from life-threatening but preventable disease. I also appeal to everyone to protect the health workers; they are protecting your children and it is your duty to ensure their safety.”

WHO advice

• Two-dose measles vaccination coverage of at least 95% in every province is recommended to ensure immunity.
• The administration of vitamin A, particularly in the context of malnutrition, is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality.
• Early detection and confirmation of measles cases to ensure timely and proper case management to reduce morbidity and mortality, enable implementation of appropriate public health strategies to control further transmission.
• Identify root causes of measles outbreaks so that immunity gaps and/or system weaknesses can be addressed to reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
• Strengthen vaccination of health workers to reduce transmission in health care settings and reduce the risk of spread to vulnerable populations.

Footnote: This round of the measles campaign covers 49 districts of the 24 provinces of Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Faryab, Helmand, Herat, Jawzjan, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunduz, Laghman, Nangarhar, Mimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktya, Parwan, Sari-pol, Takhar, Urogzan, Wardak and Zabul. Oral polio drops are also given to children in combination with the measles vaccine.

This campaign is funded by WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies and the measles outbreak response fund.