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TOt the moment the top priority for most governments around the world is this: to fight COVID-19.
But there are warnings that this focus could create an opportunity for other infectious diseases to spread, as planned vaccinations are suspended. More than 117 million children in 37 countries could miss out on measles vaccinations due to immunization programs being suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, according to UNICEF.
On the rise
Even before the onset of COVID-19, global health organizations had grown increasingly concerned about the rise of preventable infectious diseases, particularly measles.
Joanna Rea, Director of Advocacy at UNICEF UK, says the trends are worrying:
“Despite having a safe and effective vaccine for over 50 years, measles cases surged over recent years and claimed more than 140,000 lives in 2018, mostly of children and babies – all of which were preventable.”
There are particular concerns about Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, the Philippines, Syria and South Sudan – all countries battling measles, cholera or polio outbreaks while simultaneously responding to COVID-19 cases. Annually, about 20 million children are already going without essential vaccinations, according to the UN.
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