Importance and Current Status of Measles Vaccination
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can be prevented with a vaccine. The World Health Organization (WHO) has observed an increase in measles cases and emphasizes the importance of vaccination. The cases, especially in the US and Europe, once again highlight the need for vaccination. In Türkiye, especially in Istanbul, the number of measles cases is increasing and authorities are encouraging people to get vaccinated.
Measles Cases in Istanbul
Dr. Head of Public Health Services of Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate Mehmet Burhan Kucukoglu, reported that the number of measles cases seen in Istanbul as of 2025 will be in the 10s. All of these cases are in children under the age of 1 and all are unvaccinated. Unvaccinated children are very likely to contract the disease, which makes it easier for the disease to spread.
The Importance of Vaccination
Measles vaccination plays a critical role in preventing the disease. Küçükoğlu states that vaccination coverage in Türkiye has reached 94-95%. In 2002, this rate was 80%, and the increase in vaccination in recent years has been a major gain in terms of public health. However, encountering families resistant to vaccination makes vaccination efforts difficult.
Fighting Vaccine-Resistant Families
Family physicians communicate with families who are resistant to vaccination and try to persuade them on this issue. If family physicians cannot provide sufficient information, social workers, psychologists and physicians working at district health directorates visit these families and provide accurate information. The aim of this method is to increase confidence in the vaccine.
Complications of Measles
Measles is not just a disease, but also a condition that can bring about some serious complications. In 0.001% of children who have had the disease, neurological complications may develop years after the disease. This condition occurs when the measles virus causes permanent damage to the brain tissue and there is no treatment. Therefore, the importance of vaccination is once again evident.
Active and Passive Surveillance Applications
Active and passive surveillance methods are used to monitor infectious diseases such as measles, whooping cough and chickenpox. These methods help health workers detect diseases in a timely manner and take the necessary precautions. Along with vaccination, these monitoring methods are critical to protecting public health.
New Applications of the Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health has launched a new application to increase protection against whooping cough. One dose of the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine administered to pregnant women will be combined with the whooping cough vaccine and administered as the Tdap vaccine. This application aims to ensure that people around newborn children are also immunized.
Rapid Progress in Vaccination
The progress made in vaccination has been possible thanks to the sensitivity shown by family physicians. Family physicians ensure that the registered children are vaccinated by informing their families at appropriate times according to the vaccination calendar. This system contributes greatly to the widespread use of vaccination in society.
As a result
Vaccination efforts must be meticulously carried out to protect public health and combat infectious diseases. Preventing the spread of preventable diseases such as measles is directly related to the effectiveness of vaccination. Citizens’ awareness of vaccination and their trust in family physicians are critical to the success of the health system.
