Gelisim News

“The most important reason for the increase in measles cases is anti-vaccination”

Recently, there has been an increase in measles cases. This situation brought along the allegations of “Measles epidemic”. Infectious Diseases Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Savaş Vural, who made statements on the subject, stated that the most important reason for the increase in measles cases was the opposition to vaccination.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region Measles and Rubella Report, Turkey became the third country with the highest incidence of the disease, after Russia and Tajikistan, with 457 measles cases in the last year. It is reported that 343 of these 457 measles cases belong to January and February 2023. The most risky group in terms of measles complications and death is under 5 years old. Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Infectious Diseases Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Savaş Vural stated that almost all of the cases under the age of 1 and more than half of the children aged 1-4 were unvaccinated.

“Measles can be deadly disease that may require intensive care”

Measles cases increased in Turkey in January, February and March. Infectious Diseases Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Savaş Vural stated that the main reason for measles coronavirus epidemic, increasing anti-vaccination and irregular migration: “Measles are deadly disease that may require hospitalization. Permanent damage can even occur to a person who has had measles. It is a disease that can be seen at any age, but it is most common in children. It is also transmitted through children to adults who are under-vaccinated or unvaccinated. Today, it can be said that the most important reason for the spread of measles is anti-vaccination.”

Unvaccinated adults must be vaccinated

Measles vaccines at the age of 1 and 4 provide protection to a large extent, but the disease can still be encountered. Stating that if an adult has never been vaccinated, s/he can get measles vaccination at one month intervals, Dr. Vural also added the following: “It is said that measles cases are increasing especially in big cities, but it is not an epidemic alarm at the moment. However, if vaccination is not done, the danger is at the door. Increasing anti-vaccination, lack of data and irregular migration after the coronavirus epidemic causes the spread of epidemics. Measles cases, which have increased since January, draw attention to the need to raise awareness of families.”