UN Warns 117 Mn Kids Face Measles Risk As Nations Are Using Vaccination Resources For COVID-19
United Nations has warned that around 117 million children worldwide face measles risk because countries are using their vaccine resources as they battle the coronavirus pandemic.
Given the current crisis, dozens of countries are curtailing their vaccine programs and putting all their efforts in tackling the virus that has caused quite a devastation across the globe.
Currently, 24 countries, including several already dealing with large measles outbreaks, have suspended widespread vaccinations, the World Health Organisation and the UN's children's fund UNICEF said.
An additional 13 countries have had their vaccination programmes interrupted due to Covid-19.
In a joint statement, the Measles and Rubella Initiative (M&RI) said it was vital that immunisation capacity was retained during and after the current pandemic.
"Together, more than 117 million children...could be impacted by the suspension of scheduled immunization activities," it said.
"The M&RI supports the need to protect communities and health workers from Covid-19 through a pause of mass campaigns, where risks of the disease are high. However, this should not mean that children permanently miss out."
Across the globe, the the total number of coronavirus cases is approaching 20 lakh while the death toll has gone up to 1.26 lakh, according to latest data from Johns Hopkins University.
The US is the worst affected country with over 6 lakh cases and about 26,000 fatalities. Spain (1.74 lakh cases), Italy (1.62 lakh cases), Germany (1.32 lakh cases) and France (1.31 lakh cases) are among the other worst affected countries.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Italy has gone up to 21,067 while it has risen to 18,255 in Spain and 15,729 in France.