2024-02-06 07:35:50
Although in Spain, thanks to the vaccine protection shield, cases have not increased, in the rest of Europe the incidence of measles is growing considerably. The Spanish Association of Vaccinology (AEV) has launched a decalogue that answers the most frequently asked questions about this disease.
Systematic vaccination in childhood with the MMR vaccine is essential. EFE/ André Coelho
Given the alarming increase in measles cases in Europe, the World Health Organization has called for a boost to vaccination; To answer the main concerns about this disease and its vaccine, we offer you a decalogue with ten questions and answers.
Spain is not affected, for the moment, since it has not registered any change in the incidence. The answer lies mainly in immunization, since at least 95% of the Spanish population is vaccinated.
The decalogue, prepared by the Spanish Association of Vaccinology, It aims to resolve doubts about the disease in a simple and informative way to inform the general population. It answers ten frequently asked questions about measles and the vaccine.
Prevention through vaccination is essential to continue advancing in its control and elimination. However, there are still many doubts and questions that exist around this pathology.
1. What is measles?
It is an infectious disease caused by a virus of the genus Morbillivirus. It is highly contagious, with a transmissibility rate close to or greater than 90 percent.
Measles, being one of the most contagious diseases, requires 95% immunity levels or more of the population to interrupt its transmission and eliminate it from the community.
2. What symptoms does measles cause?
It is an eruptive pathology, that is, one of its fundamental characteristics is the appearance of a rash or skin rash. It is also accompanied by fever and catarrhal symptoms such as conjunctivitis, runny nose. sneezes…
3. Can measles cause serious complications?
The most important and frequent complications of measles are respiratory and neurological. Some of the most common are: acute otitis media, pneumonia or bronchopneumonia, sinusitis or laryngotrachetobronchitis….
Furthermore, it has been observed that the disease produces an alteration of the immune system, an increase in the number of infectious diseases in the person suffering from measles has been proven during the following three years.
Mortality cases are mainly due to neurological and respiratory complications and range between 1% and 15% in developing countries.
4. Is measles making a resurgence?
In most European countries, in 2021 there was a decrease in vaccination, mainly due to COVID-19. Vaccine coverage improved in 2022 but fell short of the 95% immunity goal.
Greater efforts are needed to increase vaccine coverage, since a worrying re-emergence of the disease is being observed around the world, when efforts were made towards its control and elimination.
5. What is the vaccination coverage in Spain against measles?
MMR vaccination coverage (measles, rubella and mumps) in 2022 in Spain was 97.2% in the 1st dose and 93.9% in the 2nd dose. However, there are very notable differences by autonomous community and some percentages can improve.
Measles is a highly contagious disease requiring immunity levels of 95% or higher. PHOTO EFE/Alejandro García
6. When is it advisable to get vaccinated against measles?
Vaccination in childhood is essential. The MMR vaccine is included in the childhood vaccination schedule and has two doses: one at 12 months and another at 3-4 years.
7. Can I get vaccinated as an adult if I have not been vaccinated as a child?
If you are not properly vaccinated and have not had measles, yes. In addition to children, all susceptible people of any age should be vaccinated. A person is susceptible if they are not correctly vaccinated with two doses or if they have not had the disease.
8. Should you get vaccinated against measles more than once in your life?
No booster doses of measles vaccine are needed. An individual with both doses of the vaccine is considered correctly vaccinated.
9. If I have not been vaccinated, but I have had measles, should I still get vaccinated?
A person who has had measles does not need to be vaccinated. If you get vaccinated and do not know whether or not you have had the disease, you should not take any precautions.
10. Are there any cases in which the measles vaccine is contraindicated?
The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women and immunocompromised people. Furthermore, it should not be administered to people who have had an allergic reaction to any of its components.
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