Measles is a highly contagious disease and deadly disease caused by measles virus of the paramyxovirus family. During pre-vaccine era (before 1963), an estimated 2.6 million people died globally with measles infection and its complications. After widespread use of measles vaccine, morbidity and mortality of measles decreased.

 

I will present the results of my thesis research which aimed to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on measles incidence, vaccine coverage and mortality between 2017-2021. This study is a descriptive study and reviewing of measles situation and vaccine coverage in the WHO South East Asia Region (SEAR) using publicly available data to measure the impact of pandemic. The findings indicates that a drop in numbers of reported cases with low surveillance indicators did not reflect the real situation. Low immunisation coverage increases the risk of large and disruptive outbreaks in the country increasing childhood morbidity and mortality in the future. This study reminds the health authorities and policy makers from SEAR countries to make an effort for the restoration of the health system and to enhance data reporting, maintain high levels of vaccine coverage and mitigate outbreaks rapidly to continue to the track progress towards measles elimination by 2023.

 

Ei Ei Zar Nyi is an epidemiologist from Myanmar studying Master of Philosophy (Epidemiology) with Scholarship Program of ASEAN Australia Health Security Fellowship. Before the study of MPhil, Ei Ei was a MAE scholar and was assigned in the field placement in Myanmar. After unexpected political changes in Myanmar, Ei Ei changed her degree from MAE to MPhil program as she has not been able to continue work in the field placement. Her thesis is reviewing the measles situation in SEAR since she has a strong interest in the epidemiology of communicable diseases, particularly vaccine preventable diseases. Her study focuses on highlighting the interrupted surveillance system and immunisation services impacted by the pandemic to present research that can be potentially utilised by policy makers and for preventing measles related deaths.