In 2018, Ukraine saw an astounding 54,000 measles cases and 16 fatalities.

Measles/CDC
Measles/CDC

As 2019 begins, it appears the measles problem continues in Ukraine as health officials has already reported 5,059 measles cases from December 28, 2018 to January 11, 2019 and two death.

In total, the highest rates in Lviv (a total of 930 people: 291 adults and 639 children), Vinnytsya (a total of 524 people: 236 adults and 288 children), Rivne (a total of 513 people: 141 adults and 372 children), Chernivtsi (a total of 365 people) : 147 adults and 218 children) and Kyiv (421 people in total: 219 adults and 202 children).

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine initiated extraordinary measures to protect against measles. In January, in Lviv region, a special operation was launched to raise the level of immunization of children aged 6 to 18 who missed scheduled vaccinations for any reason. Emergency measures for the immunization of children, which will begin in schools of Lviv region already in the second half of February, are planned also in other regions of Ukraine.

The Ministry of Health calls on parents to vaccinate the children according to the timing of the vaccination calendar and to reimburse the vaccine as soon as possible if they have missed a planned vaccination. All children under the age of 18, as well as adults from risk groups – military, health care workers, students, educators and physicians – may be vaccinated by the Calendar and reimburse the missed vaccinations. Immunization is a matter of national security, since the health of Ukrainians – all together and everyone in particular – depends on the level of vaccination coverage in the country.

In related news, Ukraine media report (computer translated) a measles outbreak among National Guard members assigned in Vinnytsia.

The first case of the sickness of measles was spotted before the New Year and now, the number of the diseased increased up to more than a few dozen.

The soldiers were vaccinated hastily; more than 50 soldiers got the vaccination.

“54 men were vaccinated and 65 refused to do it. The majority, unfortunately, refused and we cannot force people to do it; there is an official refusal,” Head of Medical Service of the unit Vadym Kyrychenko said.