New York: More than 117 million children all over the world are at the risk of getting Measles as they may miss out on receiving the life-saving vaccines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a joint statement by the Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI), American Red Cross, UNICEF, WHO and others, it was stated that measles immunization campaigns have been delayed in 24 countries.
"As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, over 117 million children in 37 countries may miss out on receiving life-saving measles vaccine. Measles immunization campaigns in 24 countries have already been delayed; more will be postponed," the statement read.
It also urged countries to continue routine immunization services, while ensuring the safety of communities and health workers.
It also drew attention to the WHO's new guidelines to help countries to sustain immunization activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"The recommendations also ask governments to undertake a careful risk-benefit analysis when deciding whether to delay vaccination campaigns in response to outbreaks, with the possibility of postponement where risks of COVID-19 transmission are deemed unacceptably high," the statement read.
"If the difficult choice to pause vaccination is made due to the spread of COVID-19, we urge leaders to intensify efforts to track unvaccinated children, so that the most vulnerable populations can be provided with measles vaccines as soon as it becomes possible to do so," it added.
The statement said that even though healthcare systems around the world might be under stress due to the COVID-19 threat, delivering all immunization services, including measles vaccines, is essential to saving lives that would otherwise be lost to vaccine-preventable diseases.
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