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PAHO Urges Increased Vaccination Amid Global Measles Spike

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published an epidemiological alert urging countries to intensify vaccination activities, epidemiological surveillance, and rapid response preparedness for possible measles outbreaks in the region, given the increase in cases worldwide and the detection of imported cases in early 2014 in the Americas.

Measles, a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, can bring serious complications such as blindness, pneumonia or encephalitis, and even lead to death.

Vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent measles infection and spread.

After years of decline in vaccination coverage, measle cases increased globally by 18% in 2022 and 64% in 2023, compared to previous years.

In the region, PAHO had already warned in 2023 of a decline in coverage for first and second doses of the measles vaccine, and of the occurrence of cases in countries of the Americas.

In 2023, regional coverage for the first dose of the vaccine against the disease (known as MMR) was 85%, below the ideal coverage percentage recommended by WHO of at least 95%.

In the epidemiological alert, the Organization calls for vigilance in the face of potential suspected and/or confirmed cases of measles or rubella, which could be imported from other regions of the world and generate outbreaks of varying magnitude in countries of the Americas.

In 2023, 14,884 suspected cases and 53 confirmed cases of measles were reported in the region, while some countries have already reported confirmed cases so far this year.

PAHO also recommends intensified vaccination activities and epidemiological surveillance in high-risk areas, as well as rapid response to suspected cases to prevent the re-establishment of endemic measles transmission in the Americas.

The alert also includes a series of recommendations for travelers, offering advice that countries can share on actions to take before, during and after travel.

SOURCE:  Pan American Health Organization

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Lucians pay heed to this call; the motion is recycling again. Make sure you are well informed of potential health risk, side effects both short and long term. Under the Human Rights Convention, you have the right to safeguard yourself by all cost, therefore if you want to push the boundaries, have a lawyer draft up a document stating that they will be liable for your health problems derive from this vaccine. If you accept the health risk and side effects you wave all your rights and do not have a case. These vaccines must outline all its potential purpose and side effects. Be very careful of the manufacturers, because we now know in the house of senate that the big funder of these COVID vaccines their kids and immediate family never took it, why the secret lies there. Read between the line. No one can force you to put anything in your body, without your consent. Forcefully doing so is a criminal offence and violation of your human right. If it comes to job weight your risk, live with disease and sickly vs healthy, quit your job and go find another one. Remember opportunities are endless you have to create it not to follow it.

  2. I agree 100% with the above statement.
    Saint Lucians, “Know your herbs, know your roots.”

    THE AGENDA of WHO, PAHO, CDC … NEXT, AFTER, THEN, NOW, NEXT …

    When will it end … NEXT

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