Measles outbreaks in Ukraine are cyclical and occur on average every 4-5 years. They happen due to the fact that children miss scheduled vaccinations and the number of people without immunity accumulates in society.
The previous outbreak in Ukraine was in 2017–2019. At that time, more than 110,000 people fell ill. Other factors also influence the beginning of another outbreak of measles. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 led to the isolation of people due to quarantine restrictions, and the risk of infection at that time was much lower.
At the same time, both due to the pandemic and the war, many children did not receive vaccinations on time. And the more people who are not vaccinated against measles, the higher the risk that measles will break out and spread exponentially. Unfortunately, we currently have more than 260,000 children in our country who do not have routine vaccinations against measles according to their age. From the beginning of 2023, the number of measles cases began to increase, which, against the background of low levels of vaccination coverage, allows us to reasonably talk about the risk of an outbreak of this disease.
That is why the Ministry of Health makes a decision to protect children from measles and prevent a significant outbreak of this infection. For this purpose, an additional batch of measles, rubella, and mumps vaccine was ordered, which was received in July, and a campaign was started to revaccinate those children who for some reason missed the scheduled vaccination.
Now, as part of the campaign, all first-graders and all children from remote territorial communities are vaccinated. Further, other children who were not vaccinated against measles due to their age will be vaccinated.
The first vaccination against measles is given at the age of 1 and the second at the age of 6. Missed vaccinations should be caught up as soon as possible. They are free for children up to 17 years old (inclusive). They can be given at a pediatrician/family doctor or at any vaccination point located in primary care centers and outpatient clinics. In some regional centers and large cities, you can also get vaccinated at UNICEF "Together" children's points. Organized children's groups, remote communities that do not have vaccination centers, and parents of children with limited mobility can call a mobile brigade to vaccinate children against measles, rubella, and mumps.
Vaccinate children against measles to protect them from possible complications and to help prevent an outbreak of this disease!
An active campaign to vaccinate children against measles, mumps and rubella is underway.
Measles outbreaks occur every 5 years and can have serious consequences for children and their health.
Ministry of Health of Ukraine
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