Measles Cases Drop by 25% in Kazakhstan Following Expanded Vaccination Drive

The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan has reported a significant decline in measles incidence following the implementation of enhanced anti-epidemic measures. The number of new cases registered over the past week fell to 311, a decrease of 106 cases or 25.4% compared to the previous week's figure of 417.

This positive trend is attributed to an expanded complex of sanitary and preventive actions introduced in response to the ongoing epidemiological situation. Key measures include additional immunization for children aged 6–10 months until the situation stabilizes, and catch-up vaccination campaigns targeting unvaccinated children aged 2–5 and 7–18 years, as well as medical workers under 30 without confirmed immunity.

Requirements for planned hospitalization and the anti-epidemic regime have also been strengthened. This includes the temporary suspension of unvaccinated individuals from organized groups and military units.

Despite the weekly decline, health authorities note that a stable epidemiological situation has not yet been achieved. The highest number of cases are concentrated in several regions: Astana city (81 cases), Almaty city (48 cases), Almaty region (57 cases), Atyrau region (57 cases), Kostanay region (57 cases), and West Kazakhstan region (29 cases). Unvaccinated children under 14 years old constitute the majority of those infected.

Vaccination statistics show progress: as of early 2026, additional immunization has covered 36.7 thousand children aged 6-11 months. Planned vaccination has reached 21.4 thousand one-year-olds (6.7%) and 17 thousand six-year-olds (4.7%). Furthermore, catch-up immunization has covered 8.1 thousand individuals under 18 years old, with work in this direction continuing.

The Ministry maintains ongoing monitoring of the situation and coordination of response measures. Officials emphasize that timely vaccination and responsible public attitude towards prevention remain the key conditions for protecting public health and preventing further spread of measles.