Experts warn of measles outbreak sans improved vaccination coverage

Author: Zulfiqar Kunbhar

KARACHI: With the increasing cases of measles in Sindh, experts have warned that an outbreak of the disease could hit the provincial capital.

They stressed for increasing Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) coverage up to 85 percent to prevent any outbreak of measles.

At least 10 children have died, while dozens have been hospitalised in the past two weeks following a measles outbreak in Kunri in Umerkot district. Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus and is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available.

Measles is an airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of those infected. It may also be spread through contact with saliva or nasal secretions. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), unvaccinated young children are at highest risk of measles and its complications, including death. Unvaccinated pregnant women are also at risk. Any non-immune person (who has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.

According to Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLM) 2015, Sindh’s EPI coverage hovers around 45 percent. This shows increase of Sindh’s performance from 35 per cent of EPI coverage, according to MICS 2014.

Currently, Sindh lags far behind in terms of EPI coverage. Whereas EPI coverage in Punjab is around 85 percent while its remains above 50 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Until we improve our EPI coverage and create more awareness among parents to get their children vaccinated, we should be ready for an outbreak of the disease,” said Dr Jamal Raza, president of the Pakistan Paediatric Association. Dr Raza who is also head of Karachi’s National Institute of Child Health (NICH) said Government should conduct effective motivational campaigns for the parents that could avoid the diseases for their children. However Karachi health director Dr Mohammad Taufeeq said Health Department had been conducting vaccination for the disease.

According to Dr Agha Muhammad Ashfaq, Project Director, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Cell Sindh, there was no shortage of vaccine. “With the support of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) vaccine is present,” he added. He however said that EPI coverage has relatively improved in Sindh. However each district should have coverage area more than 85 percent.+

Published in Daily Times, September 30^th 2017.