Measles of measles in the Americas are still increasing this year, when in 2024 the region had declared free of the disease. The report to April 19 indicates that More than 2,320 people have infectedaccording to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). 80.3% of cases are concentrated in Canada and the United States; In Mexico, 18.1%were identified. Meanwhile, Argentina, Brazil, Belize and Bolivia are the other countries where the condition has been presented, with 1.5% of cases.
Last year, for the same date, 205 cases were counted in the region, so there is an increase of 1,034%. On the other hand, this year four deaths have already been recorded because of the disease.
In Guatemala there are no confirmed cases; However, the PAHO record reports 29 suspicious cases. Since 2018, the disease has not been detected in the country; However, the possibility of entering an imported case maintains, since last March, an epidemiological alert by the Ministry of Health.
But there is another concern: the appropriate level of disease vaccination in children under five years of age is not yet reached. In the first quarter of 2025, the coverage should be 25%; however, The first dose reached 20% and the second, 19.5%as recorded by the regular scheme vaccination board in Guatemala, of the Ministry of Health.
According to the portfolio, the second application of the vaccine is among those of lower coverage, and completing the scheme is important, since there is a latent danger of the introduction of the disease due to the presence of cases in Mexico and the United States, in addition to Guatemala is a country of high migratory transit.
The board shows that Chiquimula is the department where the coverage of both doses is close to the ideal For the first quarter of the year. While in the Ixcán, Ixil and Petén area, the second dose has a greater range, exceeding 25%. The same does not happen with Alta Verapaz, which presents the lowest levels in the country: it ranges from 11%.
If the same pace of measles vaccination, the projection for the end of the year is that the application of the first vaccine reaches 80% and the second to 78%, figures 95% distant recommended by PAHO.
The pediatric infectologist Mario Melgar, a member of the National Council of Immunization Practices (CONAPI), is concerned with the measles outbreaks that have been detected in countries of the region and that the vaccination coverage against the disease in Guatemala is not ideal. However, the mass vaccination campaign that took place in the country has been “a little tranquility” a couple of years ago, as this could stop a large outbreak of the disease.
However, there is a population that has not been reached with the vaccine and must try to receive both doses, mainly if you have plans to travel abroad.
Low levels
Alta Verapaz is the department with the lowest range of vaccines included in the regular scheme applied by the Ministry of Health to children under five years. The coverage map shows the department in red, because The levels are below 12.50%and in that condition are the 19 vaccines, between first and second doses, as well as the reinforcements that apply to minors.
However, those that record the lowest levels, with 9%, are the second doses against the pneumococcus; the third dose and the reinforcement of antipoliomyelitic; The third vaccine of the pentavalent, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whore, hepatitis B and meningitis; and the second dose against diphtheria, tetanus and the Raine cough (DTP).
From May 11 to 18, a day of children’s vaccination will be held in the country, and 200,000 people are expected to reach.
In order to improve the scope of vaccination in the child population of Alta Verapaz, the Ministry of Health pointed out as a strategy the Adaptation of communication to Mayan languages, its dissemination in social networks and through peripheose. In addition, community events will be held to have a massive impact on immunization.
For health, the department that represents a greater challenge in child vaccination is Izabal, although there the levels of most doses exceed 15% coverage, which although it goes down, is slightly greater than the data of Alta Verapaz.
At the national level, the BCG vaccine – which protects against tuberculosis and applies the first day of life – is the one that presents the lowest coverage until March.
Vaccination campaign
The Ministry of Health will carry out A mass vaccination campaign from May 11 to 18, with the goal of vaccinating 200,000 people. All vaccines that the Ministry are obliged to supply will be offered. According to the portfolio, the Departmental Directorates of Integrated Health Services (DDRISS) are supplied with biological in 95%.
The challenges facing health, as indicated, are to improve coverage levels, reduce myths about vaccination and reach vulnerable populations. The intention is for people to know the benefits and importance of immunization.
Last December, the Vaccination Law, which guarantees protection against immunoprevenable diseases through quality, safe and effective, also establishes that it also establishes that Vaccination is voluntary. While the ministry has found resistance from some sectors of the population to receive doses, it points out that the percentage is low and that efforts are aimed at that people know the benefits of vaccinating.