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"Cases have increased worldwide, including in places where measles had already been eliminated, as in the United States," said Henrietta Fore, executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). ) and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of Global Health. Organization (WHO).
Measles is almost entirely preventable thanks to two doses of a safe and effective vaccine, albeit highly contagious. Heads of UN agencies have painted "an alarming picture" of the infection rate, saying that "at the end of this reading, we estimate that at least 40 people – most of them children – will be infected with this rapidly evolving virus. " threatening disease ".
A clear and dangerous trend
After two consecutive years of growth, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sudan, Thailand and Ukraine are all at the heart current outbreaks. It is also spreading rapidly among vaccine-resistant groups in countries with high overall vaccination rates, including the United States, Israel, Thailand and Tunisia.
"We are worried not only because measles can be so severe, it causes more than 100,000 deaths a year, but also because it is extremely contagious," said agency heads.
Referring to measles as "the canary in the coal of vaccine-preventable diseases," UNICEF and WHO officials explained that "worldwide, millions of dollars are spent on the disease." children still lack life-saving vaccines, making them vulnerable to disease and deadly epidemics. "
Living in countries where health systems face poverty and conflict, many do not have access to effective vaccines. But "in several high-income and middle-income countries," lamented agency officials, "some parents delay or refuse to vaccinate their children because they are unsure of the need for vaccines or the vaccine safety ".
In addition, UN agencies have revealed that uncertainty is often fueled by conflicting and confusing online information, which spreads rapidly, with damaging content transmitted over digital channels. amplified by algorithms that reward controversy and clicks; and operated by anti-vaccine activists to sow
A boy receives measles and rubella vaccine at a clinic in Gorkha district, Nepal. By UNICEF / Kiran Panday
In addition, scientists and health advocates have even been harassed for sharing information, agencies say, while untested vaccine alternatives are being marketed for profit.
"Collective" answer needed
"It's a collective responsibility to support parents and create a more positive environment for vaccination, online and offline," said UNICEF and WHO leaders.
Both agencies welcomed initial steps taken by digital companies, including Facebook and Amazon, to quarantine the myths about immunization safety, but said it would take a lot more for them. ensure that all children receive their vaccines at the right time.
To reverse the trend, they emphasized that everyone should advocate for vaccines, including promoting the scientific culture of health and vaccines.
"This means that governments must invest in primary care and immunization and ensure that these services are affordable, accessible and truly responsive to the needs of parents, especially those in the poorest and most vulnerable communities. disadvantaged ", said the two.
For their part, WHO and UNICEF are collaborating with other partners, such as the Vaccine Alliance, a public-private partnership known as Gavi, to ensure that vaccines reach more people in more countries than ever before.
"It will take long-term efforts, political commitment and continued investments for vaccine access, quality of service and trust, to ensure and stay protected together," said the manager. # 39; agency.
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