Moroccan authorities are intensifying measles vaccinations due to a severe outbreak linked to declining immunization rates attributed to the global anti-vax movement. With over 25,000 cases and 120 deaths reported, government efforts include educational campaigns to combat misinformation. Vaccination rates remain low, necessitating ongoing initiatives to ensure community health and achieve herd immunity.
Morocco is experiencing a severe measles outbreak, with 120 fatalities reported, prompting a government response to enhance vaccination efforts significantly. Officials attribute the resurgence of this highly contagious virus to a decrease in vaccination rates influenced by the global anti-vaccination movement that gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because measles, a disease previously under control, has resurfaced, Moroccan authorities are urgently attempting to curb the spread by ensuring widespread immunization.
In Harhoura, two children, Salma and Souhail, are at a clinic receiving their second measles vaccine dose. Their grandmother, Rabia Maknouni, noted the family was unaware of missed vaccination doses until alerted by a school campaign, leading to parental anxiety due to the outbreak. Measles can spread rapidly through respiratory droplets and presents symptoms such as fever and rash, potentially leading to severe complications like pneumonia or brain inflammation if untreated.
Despite the effectiveness of vaccination in preventing measles, hesitancy has increased, fueled by misinformation persisting since the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat this issue, Moroccan health authorities have intensified the vaccination campaign, checking the immunization status of over 10 million schoolchildren since last October. The country has recorded more than 25,000 measles cases amidst the current epidemic, raising alarming concerns even in France, Morocco’s primary foreign investor, where public health organizations have advised travelers to verify their vaccination before entering Morocco.
Approximately half of the population eligible for booster vaccinations has received one, indicating a significant gap in achieving the necessary 95 percent coverage for herd immunity, according to health ministries. Government spokesman Mustapha Baitas has pointed to misinformation as a significant barrier to achieving vaccination goals, while Mourad Mrabet comments on the role of the global anti-vaccine movement exacerbating the crisis.
Misinformation has negative implications not just in Morocco but internationally as well, as seen in the U.S, where distrust has caused declining vaccination rates, tying into recent measles deaths in Texas and New Mexico. In response to misinformation, Moroccan officials, including Imane El Kohen from the education ministry, have initiated awareness campaigns to clarify misconceptions about vaccination.
Nurse Hasna Anouar highlights the changing perceptions towards vaccinations, stating that prior to COVID-19, resistance to vaccinations was minimal. Health activist Ali Lotfi sheds light on the declining vaccination rate connected to lockdowns and heightened fears, emphasizing the need for the health ministry to have adequately addressed the backlog in immunizations post-lockdown.
The ongoing measles outbreak in Morocco demands urgent attention due to low vaccination rates largely influenced by misinformation related to the global anti-vax movement. Health officials are ramping up efforts to educate the public and enhance vaccine coverage, aiming for herd immunity to prevent further casualties. Continued misinformation poses significant challenges, highlighting the need for proactive measures, including awareness campaigns that clarify the importance of vaccinations.
Original Source: www.france24.com
