Category: Vaccine

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Immediate action is needed across the country to ensure children are vaccinated against potentially deadly measles amid a surge of the infection, the UKs top health body warned.

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), urged parents to check if their children have had the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab as hundreds of cases were confirmed in the West Midlands.

There have been 216 confirmed cases and 103 probable cases of measles in the West Midlands, with 80 per cent in Birmingham, between October 2023 and January 2024.

Immediate action is needed to boost MMR uptake across communities where vaccine uptake is low. We need a long-term concerted effort to protect individuals and to prevent large measles outbreaks, Prof Harries said.

But where have measles cases been confirmed? And which region has the highest outbreak of the infection? The Independent has put together a map below.

Between January 2023 and November 2023, 104 cases were confirmed in London. Eight cases were found in the North West of England, with the same number for the East Midlands.

Meanwhile, there were 24 cases across the South West and South East of England. Seven cases were confirmed in the East of England and there were three in the North East.

In the West Midlands, 28 cases were confirmed over the same period. But the region has seen a surge of 216 cases over five months between October 2023 and January 2024.

Prof Harries warned low vaccine uptake in the region now presented a very real risk of the virus spreading to other towns and cities.

Colleagues across the West Midlands have worked tirelessly to try to control the outbreak, but with vaccine uptake in some communities so low, there is now a very real risk of seeing the virus spread in other towns and cities, she said.

The West Midlands has seen a surge of 216 cases over five months between October 2023 and January 2024

(PA)

Measles can spread very easily among the unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools. According to the UKHSA, it can be a very unpleasant illness and can lead to hospitalisation and death in some cases.

People in certain at-risk groups including babies and young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications from measles, the health body said.

Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms, according to the NHS.

Over 99 per cent of those who have two doses of the MMR vaccine will be protected against measles and rubella. The vaccine also provides protection against mumps.

Although mumps protection is slightly lower, cases in vaccinated people are much less severe, highlighting the importance of the MMR vaccination.

In the 1990s and 2000s there was a fall in children receiving the jab due to false claims the vaccine was linked to autism, and the UK lost its measles-free status three years after virus transmission was eliminated.

The World Health Organisation declared the UK measles-free in 2016, but this has not been maintained. From 2022-2023, the percentage of children vaccinated by their second birthday was 89.3 per cent.

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Chair of the UK health departments Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, previously told The Independent: The main reason for this new outbreak is the increase in unvaccinated children in the last few years.

Vaccinations have decreased below 90 per cent and this is dangerous. The vaccine is powerful if we use it, and it will protect our children.

We must act now and the increased cases are a warning that there will be consequences if we dont. There will be children with severe infections, brain damage and even death.

Read more from the original source:

Map reveals where measles cases are surging across the UK - The Independent

The cases of measles have been rapidly increasing in the last couple of weeks, the UK Health Security Agency warned.

Measles is a serious and highly infectious disease that can cause complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and seizures.

It can even be fatal in rare cases. Between 2000 and 2022, 23 people died from measles or related infections in the UK.

The disease is caused by a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can catch it by breathing in the droplets or touching them and then touching your nose or mouth.

People with measles are contagious until at least four days after the rash appears. They should stay away from others, especially babies and young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, who are more vulnerable to the disease and its complications.

The symptoms include high fever, sore and watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, and feeling unwell.

Small white spots may also appear inside the mouth. A few days later, a red or brown rash develops on the face and behind the ears, and then spreads to the rest of the body. The rash may be harder to see on darker skin tones.

ALSO READ| Measles outbreak in England, most cases in children: What UK health agency said

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccine is very effective and safe. It is usually given in two doses: the first one at 12 months of age, and the second one at around three years and four months, before starting school. This reduces the chance of getting sick with measles and spreading it to others.

If you catch measles, a serious viral infection, follow these steps to ease your symptoms and prevent complications:

Not enough children in the UK have received the MMR vaccine, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) targets. The WHO recommends that 95% of children should have two doses of the MMR vaccine by the time they are five years old. But in 2022-23, only 85% of children in the UK had received two doses, the lowest level since 2010-11.

This low vaccination rate has led to more outbreaks of measles in the UK. The most affected area is the West Midlands, especially Birmingham, where more than 200 cases have been reported in recent months.

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There have also been smaller outbreaks in some parts of London, where only 74% of five-year-olds have had two doses of the MMR vaccine.

In some areas, such as Hackney, nearly half of the children are not fully vaccinated. There are also small clusters of cases in other parts of the country.

In 2023, there were 1,603 suspected cases of measles in England and Wales, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This is a sharp increase from 735 cases in 2022 and 360 cases in 2021.

The UKHSA has issued a call to action across the UK to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. Pop-up clinics are being opened at some schools to make it easier for parents to access the vaccine. Adults who have missed their vaccinations can also catch up on them by speaking to their GP surgery.

Muslim communities who do not eat pork products can ask for an alternative version of the MMR vaccine called Priorix from their GP. If the MMR vaccine is not suitable for someone who is at immediate risk of catching measles, they can receive a treatment called human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG), which can boost their immunity.

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Measles: What are the symptoms and how to prevent it? - Hindustan Times

Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends,

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the incredible power of vaccines, tests, treatments and other medical technologies to save lives.

But it also exposed the vast inequities of our world.

Narrow nationalism and hoarding by high-income countries meant that many low-income countries got too little, too late.

But it doesnt only happen for COVID vaccines. We see the same thing for many vaccines and health technologies. Its the norm, not the exception, and it needs to change.

Expanding local production, and strengthening local regulatory capacity, are therefore essential for reducing health inequities between and within countries not only for the pandemics of tomorrow, but to treat the diseases of today.

So, let me offer my congratulations to the government of Rwanda and BioNTech for jointly establishing an mRNA manufacturing facility in Kigali, which was inaugurated just a few weeks ago.

This is an important step, and one that I hope other countries and companies can learn from. And it also shows us that without local ownership, national ownership and commitment, this thing cannot happen. And we can see that in Rwanda's case.

This new venture will complement WHO's work to equip all regions of the world with the know-how and infrastructure to rapidly produce mRNA vaccines in response to an epidemic or pandemic.

Through the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub, WHO is now supporting technology transfer in 15 countries, including six in Africa. Of course, Brazil is one of the most promising, and I am glad that Brazil is participating in this meeting.

Of course, mRNA is not the only important vaccine technology.

Thats why weve also established the WHO Health Technology Access Pool, to support local manufacturing of other technologies in low- and middle-income countries, including virus- and protein- based vaccines, and adjuvant technology.

This will not only help regions prepare for another pandemic, they can potentially also develop vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics for other health threats including malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases.

Manufacturing facilities are most effective and sustainable if they are operating to meet ongoing needs, rather than only ramping up during emergencies.

WHO is supporting countries with guidance and technical support for investing in R&D and aligning these investments with the manufacturing infrastructure in their region.

To train the skilled workforce needed for local and regional manufacturing, we established the Global Training Hub on Biomanufacturing, hosted in the Republic of Korea.

This could be complemented by additional regional workforce training centres, which would greatly accelerate efforts to get these high-tech manufacturing facilities up and running sustainably in developing countries.

Countries that manufacture vaccines and medicines must also have robust regulatory agencies in place, so that these life-saving products can be exported.

To support this, WHO has a long-standing programme to build regulatory capacity nationally and regionally.

We are especially proud to have supported the establishment of the African Medicines Agency in Rwanda, which we will continue to support.

Finally, it is vital to emphasize the central role of domestic investments in research, development and manufacturing for long-term sustainability.

External donors and initiatives can play an important catalytic role, but it is essential that countries themselves are in the drivers seat, and countries themselves are investing in manufacturing.

When governments are invested in the manufacturing sector, they are more likely to buy locally-produced products, rather than imported products that may be cheaper.

Over the longer term, buying regionally-produced products can create a sustainable production system, and over time prices could become increasingly more competitive.

Regional activities such as the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, recently endorsed by the GAVI Board, and the Africa CDC, will promote long-term procurement from regional manufacturers.

Additional regional procurement mechanisms, as well as coherent plans for building robust supply chains, will contribute to sustainability of these manufacturing facilities.

WHOs World Local Production Forum coordinates, galvanizes and synchronizes these regional and global efforts, and we're doing it in partnership with WTO and WIPO. I'm glad that WIPO Director General Daren Tang is with us today in this meeting, it shows his commitment.

Ensuring that supply chains are robust, and that capacity is sustainable, will require coordination between all of us.

The strategy identified by the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative and CEPI is closely aligned with what WHO believes are the key priorities to expanding regional vaccine manufacturing, and we look forward to RVMCs collaboration with WHO and other partners in this space.

Before I close, I would like to thank Minister Phaahla for his support and especially recognize South Africa and also Afrigen.

WHO is committed to working with all of you to realize the vision of equitable access to quality medical products for all people.

I thank you.

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WHO Director-General's remarks at the World Economic Forum - 17 January 2024 - World Health Organization

Britains public health agency warned on Friday that an outbreak of measles in central England could spread to other towns and cities unless urgent action is taken to boost vaccination uptake.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national incident, signalling a growing public health risk.

It said there had been 216 confirmed cases and 103 probable cases in the West Midlands since October 1, with the majority being in children under the age of 10.

With vaccine uptake in some communities so low, there is now a very real risk of seeing the virus spread in other towns and cities, said UKHSA Chief Executive Jenny Harries.

A report from the World Health Organization and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in November that there had been a staggering annual rise in measles cases and deaths globally in 2022.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world but is preventable by two doses of vaccine. The Covid-19 pandemic massively disrupted routine immunisation efforts worldwide, and the bounce back has been slow.

Harries said immediate action was needed to boost uptake of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine in areas where it was low.

We need a long-term concerted effort to protect individuals and to prevent large measles outbreaks, she added.

In Britain, MMR is part of the routine childhood immunisation programme offered by the state-funded National Health Service (NHS). Last year, the UKHSA said that in some areas and groups in London, coverage of the first MMR dose at two years of age was as low as 69.5 per cent.

In July the UKHSA warned of a steady rise in measles cases and the risk of a resurgence of the virus, particularly in London, where it said an outbreak of 40,000 to 160,000 cases could occur due to low vaccine coverage rates.

Read the rest here:

National incident declared in UK amid measles outbreak - South China Morning Post

Multiple states have reported measles outbreaks, according to health officials.

Its not unusual for several illnesses to ramp up during the winter months. But this year has brought an unsuspected addition to the usual cold, flu, and RSV line-up: measles.

Nine people in the Philadelphia area have recently tested positive for the disease after a child who was exposed to the virus violated quarantine recommendations and went to daycare.

In Virginia, public health officials are warning about potential measles exposure after a person with the disease traveled through Dulles International Airport on January 3, 2024, and Ronald Reagan National Airport on January 4, 2024.

Washington state also recently reported six cases of measles, tying the outbreak to a family gathering.

And yesterday, the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed a measles case in the Atlanta area.

Heres whether or not new measles cases are a cause for concern, as well as how to avoid infection.

Getty Images / Chinnapong

In 2016, health officials celebrated the news that North and South America had officially eliminated measles. But, that doesnt mean the virus doesnt still show up from time to time.

The U.S. has seen sporadic outbreaks and cases of measles over the years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 121 cases of the disease in 2022. In 2023, there were 48 cases.

The agency hasnt shared data on 2024 cases yet, but health department reports indicate there have already been at least 16 measles cases in January 2024 alone.

Cases of measles do seem to be on the rise in the U.S., William Schaffner, MD,an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Health.

There are a number of outbreaks in the U.S. at the present time, he said.

Schaffner explained that outbreaks usually happen when someone travels outside the country and brings the disease to the U.S.

Even more frequently, someone here in the U.S.usually a childgoes abroad, acquires the measles virus, and then spreads it among unvaccinated people, usually children, he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles is one of the worlds most contagious diseases.

Its spread by contact with infected nasal or throat secretions when a person with the disease coughs or sneezes, or by breathing air that was breathed by someone with the disease.

The virus can stay active and contagious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

Measles is extraordinarily infectious, Thomas Russo, MD, a professor and chief of infectious diseases at theUniversity at Buffaloin New York, told Health.

The spread is almost inevitable if it gets into a vulnerable population, Russo said.

According to Schaffner, the disease often shows up in clusters in the U.S. because it spreads among unvaccinated people.

Unvaccinated children often cluster in certain areas, schools, or religious groups, Schaffner explained. If the measles virus is introduced into that population, it can spread to the other unvaccinated children.

This spread is important to contain, as measles can be a serious disease.

When I tell our medical students that, before we had measles vaccines in the U.S., between 400 and 500 children died annually of the disease and its complications, their jaws drop, Schaffner said. Measles is a very, very vicious, uncomfortable, and serious infection and it can cause many complications.

The best way to lower your risk of getting measles is to get the measles vaccine. This vaccine is part of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is part of the recommended childhood vaccination schedule.

But, anyone can get the measles vaccine, including adults who werent vaccinated as a child.

The vaccine is incredibly effective at preventing infection, Russo said.

According to the CDC, two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.

If you havent been vaccinated against measles, Schaffner recommends scheduling an appointment with a primary care doctor to update your vaccination status. He noted that having the virus gets worse as you get older.

Read more:

What You Need to Know About the Current Measles Outbreak in the US - Health.com

Measles basics: Symptoms, severe illness and treatment

The measles virus primarily spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets in the air.

Early symptoms can appear between seven and 14 days after an exposure and often include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes or pinkeye.

What follows is a red rash. Dr. Anat Feingold, division head of pediatric infectious disease at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, New Jersey, said red spots typically appear first on the head near the hairline and neck before spreading down to other areas of the body.

Fevers can reach high temperatures of 103 and 104 degrees and the rash can last a couple days before it begins to fade.

There is no specific treatment for measles, no antiviral medications. Providers may recommend over-the-counter fever reducers and vitamin A to ease symptoms at home.

Most of the time this is supportive care and just watching to make sure the symptoms dont progress to something more serious, said Dr. Salwa Sulieman, pediatric infectious disease expert at Nemours Childrens Health in Wilmington, Delaware.

People may need hospitalization for complications like dehydration and diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, and, in severe cases, brain swelling, neurological and respiratory issues.

For every 1,000 children who become ill from the virus, an estimated one or two will die, according to global data.

I think what happens is, when people dont see the disease around them, they forget how bad such a disease can be, Feingold said. As a mother and a grandmother, I would never want anybody I love to have to experience a measles infection.

The measles virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is contagious has left a room, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When there is a confirmed case in a community, local health authorities will investigate to identify places where that person may have been contagious and therefore exposed other people to the virus.

In Philadelphia, the city Department of Public Health has listed specific dates and times at five locations where people may have been exposed to measles, another two health facilities in Montgomery County and one hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.

Officials at the Camden County Health Department in New Jersey have identified two sites a pediatric office and a hospital emergency department as possible exposure locations for one confirmed case of measles reported last week.

If you know that youve been in a place where there were cases of measles and you develop these symptoms and arent vaccinated, you should absolutely stay at home and call your doctor for further instructions, said Dr. Emily Spengler, a pediatrician at the Center for the Urban Child at St. Christophers Hospital for Children in North Philadelphia.

If someone knows they may have been exposed or is experiencing active symptoms of measles, Spengler said its important they try to first call ahead to any health clinic or hospital they may visit.

They need to prepare for this, because there are special negative pressure rooms that they could put your child in so that they can care for your child and they can prevent spreading, she said. The last thing we want is for a child to be sitting in an emergency room waiting room and exposing anybody whos unvaccinated.

People may be asked to quarantine following an exposure, and Feingold said if they are, people should follow that seriously to ensure others arent put at risk, especially vulnerable populations.

Its a good time for everyone in affected communities to confirm their vaccination status, said Sulieman, but especially people who have been to exposure locations.

They can check with their primary care physician or in their medical records to make sure that theyve been fully vaccinated, she said. If they havent, it would be a really good time to get the measles vaccine.

See the original post here:

Philly measles outbreak: What you need to know - WHYY

Protect yourself, your loved ones and others around you by getting a flu shot and the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Flu shots can reduce your risk of having to see a VA provider for flu-related illness by 40%, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that it is safe to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. So, do not delay, make wellness a priority by getting vaccinated during your next VA appointment with Primary Care.

With respiratory illnesses on the rise this new year, your VA care team wants to ensure you have the facts about seasonal vaccines. A vaccine uses a tiny amount of substance that builds up antibodies to provide protection from getting infected if the real bacteria or virus enters your body. Additionally, vaccines help prevent or lessen the severity of many types of diseases caused by infection.

Your VA care team and the CDC recommend everyone age 6 months and older get aflu shot each year. Chief of Ambulatory Care, Dr. Melissa M. Turner, wants Veterans to understand that The flu causes unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths, which can be prevented. Dr. Turner, who leads our Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center Primary Care operations explains that the most vulnerable population of Veterans who need the vaccine include:

Along with the flu shot, due to changes in the virus that causeCOVID-19, it is important to get the updated vaccine as soon as you can. COVID-19 is still present and causing illness, though less severely than before, Dr. Turner shared. Most people experience it as a bad cold or like the flu but the mortality rate from COVID infections is significantly higher. Dr. Turner also explains that the following Veterans most at-risk for COVID infections include:

The DC VA Medical Center and its community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) offer Veterans who are enrolled for VA health care a free flu shot during primary care and other specialty appointments. Also, free Moderna Spikevax COVID vaccinations are available at the main medical center in Washington, DC.

Overall, vaccines are the most effective way to protect your wellness. Speak with your VA health care team to learn more about recommended preventative care screening tests and immunizations which fit your personal health care plan and goals.

Dont let seasonal viruses or COVID get you down! Get more information about the importance of vaccinations below:

Veterans Health Library | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC

Seasonal Flu Vaccines | CDC

Originally posted here:

Educate & Vaccinate: Protect Yourself and Others - Veterans Affairs

Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaros personal vaccination records were falsified, according to a bombshell investigation carried out by the countrys current comptroller general. Records show he received a COVID-19 immunization in Sao Paulo in July 2021, Reuters reportedthough a plethora of evidence was uncovered to show that the politicians card had likely been faked. He wasnt even in the city at the time, the investigation found, and the nurse who purportedly administered the injection denied ever seeing Bolsonaro. In addition to this information, the vaccine lot number listed on Bolsonaros paperwork was not yet available on the date provided. Bolsonaros home was raided last year in connection with the investigationduring which time he denied ever receiving the vaccine or tampering with his medical records. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic Bolsonaro repeatedly downplayed the importance of vaccination and social distancing measures while grossly exaggerating the potential side effects of immunization.

Read it at Reuters

Read more at The Daily Beast.

The rest is here:

Jair Bolsonaro's Vaccination Records Were Falsified, Probe Finds - Yahoo News Australia

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Fake school vaccine scheme hit Hudson Valley, parts of upstate New York - The Journal News

A Long Island midwife falsified vaccine records for some 1,500 school-aged children, according to New York States Department of Health, which on Wednesday announced that it had fined her $300,000.

The authorities said the scheme began at the start of the 2019-20 school year after a measles epidemic had led New York to end religious exemptions for immunizations. The new rules meant that about 26,000 children who had previously been exempted needed to get vaccinated to return to school that fall.

But instead of administering the required vaccines, the midwife, Jeanette Breen, of Baldwin, N.Y., gave thousands of homeopathic oral pellets to school-aged children and then falsified their immunization records, according to the authorities.

The oral pellets in question were marketed as an alternative to vaccination but were not authorized or approved by the federal government as a vaccine against any disease. Ms. Breen administered them as a substitute for vaccinations against hepatitis, diphtheria, polio, measles and other diseases, according to the authorities.

The children who received the pellets attend hundreds of different schools. The schools have been instructed to inform their parents that their children cannot return until they provide proof of vaccination, the authorities said.

While most of the children with falsified records were on Long Island, many were from New York City, and some were from other parts of the state, including Erie County.

Misrepresenting or falsifying vaccine records puts lives in jeopardy and undermines the system that exists to protect public health, the state health commissioner, Dr. James McDonald, said.

It was not immediately known if the scheme resulted in any illness or the spread of disease.

The authorities said that it appeared that many of the parents knew their children were not being vaccinated. The scheme suggests that the persons in parental relation to the affected children sought out and paid Breen related to their childrens immunizations, a spokeswoman for the Health Department, Erin Clary, wrote in an email.

The Health Department said that Ms. Breen had already paid $150,000 of the $300,000 penalty, and that the remainder of the fine would be suspended if she abided by certain terms, including a prohibition on administering vaccines or participating in any schemes to misrepresent vaccination records.

Ms. Breen did not respond to messages requesting comment.

In a 2019 deposition, she said she had been running a midwifery practice in Baldwin for about 30 years and had graduated from Columbia Universitys School of Nursing in 1984 with a masters degree.

The deposition involved a case regarding whether a pregnant employee at a hospital should receive an exemption from a mandatory flu shot policy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women receive flu shots, but Ms. Breen expressed skepticism about their safety and benefits for pregnant women.

Well, a doctor doesnt always know best, she said.

View original post here:

Long Island Midwife Gave Pellets Instead of Vaccines to 1500 Children - The New York Times