Measles vaccine.Photo: Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty
According to the CDC, 22 million babies worldwide did not get the measles vaccine as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The measles is known for being highly contagious and can spread through coughing and sneezing.
The recent warning from the agency about the millions of unvaccinated children comes as the agency reported data that showed measles cases increased between 2017-2019 and then decreased in 2020.
However, the agency explained why the news is not as positive as it might seem.
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It continued, “MCV1 coverage decreased globally and in all but one region in 2020; 22.3 million children did not receive MCV1 through routine immunization, and at least 93 million persons did not receive MCV because of COVID-19–related postponement of measles SIAs.”
According to the CDC, Measles vaccination has prevented an estimated 31.7 million deaths worldwide.
“While reported measles cases dropped in 2020, evidence suggests we are likely seeing the calm before the storm as the risk of outbreaks continues to grow around the world,” Dr. Kate O’Brien, director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at the World Health Organization, said in a statement,according to CNN.
“It’s critical that countries vaccinate as quickly as possible against COVID-19, but this requires new resources so that it does not come at the cost of essential immunization programs. Routine immunization must be protected and strengthened; otherwise, we risk trading one deadly disease for another.”
source: people.com
