SPOTLIGHT ON MEASLES VACCINATION
DON’T SKIP ROUTINE CHILDHOOD VACCINES
If you have not already heard, South Africa is seeing an increase in measles cases in 2023 due to the slowdown in the country’s immunisation programme following the Covid-19 pandemic.
OMSMAF covers this and all other routine childhood vaccinations as part of our preventative care benefits to ensure that your little ones are protected from serious illness.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus, which normally passes from one person to another through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.
What are the signs and symptoms of measles?
The first sign of measles is usually a high fever, which can last between four and seven days and begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. A runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage. This is followed, a few days later by a skin rash, which usually starts on the face and neck whereafter it spreads to the hands and feet. After several days a rash, which lasts between five to six days before fading, erupts – usually on the face and upper neck. On average, the rash occurs 14 days after exposure to the virus (within a range of seven to 18 days).
Who is at risk?
People at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles include infants and children under five, pregnant women and persons with compromised immune systems including certain cancers and HIV infection. The most serious measles complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, ear infections or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
More about the measles vaccination
The most effective way to ensure immunity to measles is to be vaccinated. People who are vaccinated are protected from severe symptoms of measles, mostly for the rest of their life.
Prevention and control of measles outbreaks can only be achieved through vaccination. It is never too late to vaccinate and children over the age of 6 months and up to the age of 15 years should be vaccinated if they have not had the measles vaccine or have not been fully vaccinated.
Adults too can get the measles vaccine and they may get one dose of the measles vaccine that is in combination with mumps and rubella. These vaccines are available from clinics and pharmacies.
Who should not receive the measles vaccine?
The following groups of people should not be given the measles vaccine:
- Children with severe immune suppression or immunodeficiency (the measles vaccine should be given to HIV-infected children unless they are severely ill).
- People who are severely allergic to any of the components of the vaccine.
- Pregnant women.
OMSMAF covers all routine childhood vaccinations, which also includes the measles vaccine, normally given at 6 months and again at 12 months. To view the vaccination schedule that OMSMAF covers, simply click here.
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