The Health Department is conducting opportunistic vaccination, which involves reviewing the patient's vaccination record during any visit to the primary care physician and offering immunization if they are unprotected. This measure is specifically aimed at those born between 1978 and 1980, as they constitute the cohort with the lowest immunization rate.
“"All those born from 1978 up to 1980, if they have not had the disease or are not vaccinated, must go and get vaccinated. Those born earlier have already had the disease."
This resurgence occurs after the World Health Organization (WHO) recently withdrew Spain's measles-free status, an infection that had been eliminated a decade ago. The global increase in cases is attributed to the "halt" in systematic vaccination caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the influence of anti-vaccine movements and misinformation.
Systematic vaccination against measles (MMR vaccine) became widespread starting in 1981. To improve coverage of the second dose, which does not reach the desirable 95%, Salut also introduced a quadrivalent vaccine at age three last year. Furthermore, PCR tests will be increased to detect measles at the slightest clinical suspicion.
