Measles-What's Old Is New Again

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Considerations for reluctance and improving vaccine uptake

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19) pandemic during the fall of 2019 led to the rapid development of vaccines aimed at curbing viral infection, spread, and its potential eradication. A recent trend is an overall increase in vaccine hesitancy, leading to the World Health Organization citing this as a problem which needs to be addressed. With the development and approval of vaccines for COVID-19, this trend has quickened, leading to potential negative ramifications in the ability controlling COVID-19 spread. Here we describe reported examples in overall vaccine hesitancy prior to the emergence of COVID-19, as well as summarizing recent reports on vaccine hesitancy related to COVID-19 vaccines. Gaining a better understanding of the reasons individuals have, as well as potential methods for decreasing hesitancy in the future, will hopefully lead to a greater percentage of vaccinated individuals and aid in ending the current pandemic.

Measles: Moving toward eradication

ABSTRACT

Measles is a vaccine-preventable, highly contagious virus once considered eradicated in the US. It is still a significant source of morbidity and mortality for children under 5 years of age worldwide. Advanced practice registered nurses are on the frontlines of reducing the spread of disease and educating the community on measles prevention.

Epidemiology Survey of Measles in Kazakhstan

BACKGROUND: Measles (rubella) is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus in the Paramyxoviridae family. The measles virus is directly responsible for more than 100,000 deaths each year. Epidemiological studies have linked measles to increased morbidity and mortality many years after infection, but the reasons underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. The virus attacks immune cells, causing acute suppression of the immune system. The World Health Organization recommends a two-dose vaccination policy, with the first dose administered during the 1st year of life, and coverage should be maintained in at least 90–95% of the population to halt transmission. In many countries, the measles vaccine is included in the immunization program and is freely available to all. Today, despite active immunization of the population, measles still occurs in the Republic of Kazakhstan. AIM: The objective of our study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles in the Republic of Kazakhstan during the rise of the disease. METHODS: Statistical data were obtained from the Committee on Public Health Protection on the incidence of measles in The Republic of Kazakhstan for the period from November 1, 2018 to December 30, 2019. STUDY DESIGN: Epidemiology survey. RESULTS: The article contains epidemiological data on the incidence of measles in the regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan among children, age, and gender characteristics. CONCLUSION: In the period from November 2018 to December 2019, there was a tendency to increase the incidence of measles in the republic. In terms of morbidity, Nur-Sultan was the leader, where the number of cases was 22.9% (n = 3181). The largest number of registered cases, 58.2% (n = 5745), occurred in children aged 1–14 years. Measles remains an unresolved global problem and groups of undervaccinated and unvaccinated populations remain vulnerable during epidemics.