Morocco is facing a measles outbreak due to declining vaccination rates fueled by misinformation. Authorities are addressing this with awareness campaigns and checking immunization statuses of schoolchildren. With over 25,000 cases reported, there is an urgent need to improve vaccination coverage to ensure herd immunity.
Moroccan authorities are currently battling a resurgence of measles, a once-nearly-eradicated disease, attributed to falling vaccination rates. In Harhoura, two siblings, Salma and Souhail, were found waiting for their second dose of the measles vaccine, following an awareness campaign that alerted their family to missed vaccinations. Their grandmother expressed concern, stating, “We did not know they had not completed their vaccination. Their parents panicked when they heard about the outbreak.”
Measles is exceptionally contagious, transmitted through respiratory droplets, and symptoms include fever, respiratory distress, and rashes, with severe complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation possible. Despite the critical need for vaccination, immunization rates are diminishing, largely due to persistent misinformation exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moroccan efforts to combat this outbreak have intensified, verifying the immunization status of over 10 million schoolchildren since October. Mourad Mrabet, of the National Centre for Public Health Emergencies, highlighted the alarming statistics: more than 25,000 measles cases and 120 fatalities have been recorded since late 2023. The outbreak also raises concerns in France, prompting the French public health agency to advise travelers to confirm their vaccination status prior to visiting Morocco.
Authorities report a decrease in new infections, yet they aim for a 95-percent vaccination coverage to ensure herd immunity by the end of March. However, the health ministry indicated that as of early March, only about half of those needing a booster had received it. Government spokesman Mustapha Baitas noted that “false information fuels public fear of vaccines.”
Health officials attribute vaccine hesitancy in Morocco to the broader global anti-vax movement, which has seen a fall in vaccination rates similar to that witnessed in the United States, where recent measles outbreaks prompted child fatalities. In response to misinformation, Moroccan health officials are conducting awareness campaigns to reestablish trust in vaccines, addressing misconceptions such as false claims linking measles vaccines to Covid vaccines. Local nurse Hasna Anouar remarked on the shift in public perception, stating, “We have to sit down with them and explain why these shots are necessary.” Health rights activist Ali Lotfi pointed out that the decline in vaccination can also be linked to pandemic-induced lockdowns and resulting fears concerning hospitals.
In summary, Morocco is experiencing a significant resurgence of measles, propelled by declining vaccination rates exacerbated by misinformation. Authorities are actively working to combat this issue through awareness campaigns and increased vaccination efforts. It is crucial that the population is educated about the safety and importance of vaccinations to ensure herd immunity and prevent further outbreaks.
Original Source: www.nbcrightnow.com
