Ministry to consider vaccinating all stateless kids against measles

KOTA KINABALU: The Health and People’s Wellbeing Ministry is considering vaccinating all stateless children against measles for the sake of the citizens’ health in the state.

Its minister, Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt said the state ministry and federal Health Ministry had been working together to consider vaccinating all the people.

“But this one decision has yet to be finalized because we are talking about including all the stateless children around.

“We find if we neglect this thing, when they carry all this sickness, it might be transferred to our own people. We are considering, so the vaccination will be done soon,” he revealed to the press at the ministry’s website launch and 2019 Chinese New Year Celebration at ShangriLa Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa here yesterday.

Up to February 9, Wong said the number of reported measles cases were three in 2019.

“This is a 40% reduction in the cases compared to the same period in 2018. All cases are children aged between one and six and have never received an immunization. Two of the reported cases involved non-citizen children,” he told the press yesterday.

“In 2018, 73 cases of measles and one death were reported. About 40% of cases are among children between two and seven years old. Most cases involved citizens and the rest are non-citizens.

“Of the total cases, only 15% have ever received an immunization. The four highest districts with reported cases of measles were Kudat (30 cases), Semporna (21 cases), Kota Kinabalu (four cases) and Tawau (four cases),” he added.

Wong said immunization is a key method in the prevention of measles.

He said the Ministry of Health targeted 95% of measles immunization coverage in children.

The Ministry of Health and the State Health Department will continue to carry out nationwide immunization campaigns for all types of vaccine prevention diseases including measles.

In Sabah, measles immunization is given as early as six months and then at the age of nine months and 12 months.

The third dose of measles can provide seroconversion rates up to 99%. Booster dose is given when the child is seven years old.

In the epidemic area, the control activities carried out by the District Health Office include Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) which is an injection of additional measles to children aged 6 and below. For some areas of the risk of infection, the age limit for these additional injections or support is increased to 17 years old.

This is to ensure that the group’s immunity is reached, and the infection chain can be decided quickly.

For children who are left out in getting the immunization, parents and guardians are advised to get immunization at nearby health clinics.