As of November 13, at least 4,098 cases of measles were registered in Kyrgyzstan. Director of the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis Gulbara Ishenapysova told 24.kg news agency.
According to her, accounting and registration of cases are taking place in Jalal-Abad region (more than 1,000 cases), Bishkek (1,200), Osh region and Osh city, as well as Chui region.
The disease mainly affects children under 12 months old who are not vaccinated, and from 12 months to four years old who managed to receive the first dose, but have not completed the full vaccination cycle.
There is no reason to panic. The latest growth was due to Jalal-Abad, we organized four trips there, the situation is gradually stabilizing.
Gulbara Ishenapysova
«Such situation is observed not only in our country, but also in Kazakhstan, where more than 13,000 cases have already been registered, Russia (8,000), Turkey (3,000). In 2022, a tense epidemiological situation was observed in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. With the support of the World Health Organization, additional vaccine doses have been allocated to these countries. The Kyrgyz Republic received the vaccine in 2023, we sent the application in a timely manner,» she said.
The director of the center added that a total of 755,000 doses have been received. A campaign for additional vaccination of children from nine months to seven years old inclusive has been carried out since September 18. Coverage reached 77 percent. In addition, contact persons are vaccinated. The campaign will continue until the end of November.
«According to another application submitted to GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization — Note of 24.kg news agency), we will conduct vaccination in January 2024. By this time, the campaign will produce results,» Gulbara Ishenapysova noted.
To protect against measles, two doses of the vaccine are required: at 12 months and six years old.
