Astana battles measles and hepatitis A surge as vaccine refusal grows

European Immunization Week Kicks Off in Capital with Slogan "Vaccines Work for Every Generation"

The campaign, running until April 25, aims to raise public awareness about the importance of vaccination and strengthen trust in immunization, city officials announced at a briefing held by the Capital Communications Service, citing the city administration.

The event brings together Astana's chief sanitary doctor, Aigul Shagaltaeva, representatives from the Children's City Hospital, and vaccination coordinators.

Health experts emphasize that vaccination in Kazakhstan is free and accessible to all. Immunization clinics in all polyclinics operate from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Under the National Immunization Schedule, children receive protection against measles, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, rubella, mumps, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Thanks to systematic vaccination efforts, the capital has seen no recorded cases of diphtheria, polio, tetanus, rubella, rabies, Haemophilus influenzae type b, or pneumococcal infection in recent years. Mumps cases remain rare.

Despite this progress, risks of vaccine-preventable diseases persist. In the first three months of 2026 alone, Astana reported 1,483 measles cases, with 81% of patients under 14. Of those, 83% were unvaccinated, 15% had unknown vaccination status, and only about 2% had received incomplete immunization.

A similar trend is observed with hepatitis A. After years of declining infection rates, cases have risen again: 175 in 2023, 196 in 2024, 114 in 2025, and 22 in early 2026. Nearly all infected children were unvaccinated.

Experts warn that declining vaccination rates create an "immunity gap," leaving segments of the population vulnerable. Since 2016, Astana has recorded over 11,000 vaccine refusals, with around 4,000 remaining persistent. The primary reasons include personal beliefs, distrust of vaccines, misinformation, and religious views.

Medical professionals stress that rejecting vaccination is not just a personal choice but also a public health risk—particularly for newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

They also explain that herd immunity develops when most of the population is vaccinated, helping halt disease transmission and protecting those who cannot be immunized for medical reasons. Lower vaccination rates weaken this defense, increasing the likelihood of outbreaks.

Doctors also debunk common myths about vaccination. They emphasize that scientific research has found no link between vaccines and autism. Another misconception—that it is better to contract a disease than to get vaccinated—is equally false, as infections can lead to severe complications or even death. All vaccines undergo rigorous quality and safety checks before approval.

According to experts, vaccination has saved over 150 million lives worldwide over the past 50 years and significantly reduced illness rates and child mortality. Physicians urge parents to vaccinate their children on time and take advantage of free immunization programs at local clinics. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect against infectious diseases and safeguard public health.