Fifty-six cases of measles were recorded by health authorities in France in October. The epidemic is resuming again, because of a lack of effective vaccination coverage. The Regional Health Agency reminds that the vaccine is now mandatory for children and recommended for anyone born after 1980.
The measles epidemic still has good days ahead. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) has identified 56 cases in Ile-de-France in October alone. The majority of these reports were made in Seine-Saint-Denis and mainly concerned unvaccinated children aged 4 years.
No severe forms of measles and no deaths were reported, but 11 people were hospitalized. A situation that worries the health authorities: "The vaccination coverage rate is still insufficient in France in 15-35 years and in infants, which explains why the virus continues to circulate in the country," says Vaccination Infos Services website .
Advancing our immunization coverage is the only way to limit the spread of measles. Mobilization of the @seinesaintdenis and its centers PMI and the @ ARS_IDF: not to vaccinate, it is not to make a personal choice, it is to run a collective danger. https://t.co/KhH80v9jB2
- Aurélien Rousseau (@aur_rousseau) November 8, 2018Essential vaccination
The lack of vaccination is here at stake. In fact, to stop the disease, 95% of the population would have to be vaccinated. Since January 1, 2018, the measles vaccine is part of the compulsory vaccines for children. In addition, anyone born after 1980 must have received two doses of the vaccine. The treatment is reimbursed 100% by Social Security up to and including 17 years, then normally (to 65%) after.
Measles is a very contagious disease. It is transmitted by air and travels so very quickly. This year, Europe experienced a record outbreak of measles: 41,000 cases were identified in the first half. It killed 37 people, including three in France.