Measles protection: Vaccination also recommended for expectant mothers
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Virologists, vaccinators and gynecologists have advised pregnant women to get measles vaccination to prevent the outbreak of measles among children in the country. They say that this vaccination should be given one to two months before conception. In addition to measles, rubella vaccination is also required.
When the government took up the vaccination program on an urgent basis in the context of the death of one child after another in the past one and a half months due to the outbreak of measles in the country, it was suggested to cover the possible fertility also.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Experts say that in the country, the first of two doses of measles is given at the age of 9 months. And the second is given in 15 months. But now it is seen that children as young as six months old are also getting measles. That is, the antibodies in the mother’s body may not be able to provide sufficient protection. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of newborns and young children if the immune system of the mother’s body is confirmed before conception.
However, some have suggested that more extensive research is needed. The Department of Health says that they can cover potential infertility vaccines only if the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) advises.
বিজ্ঞাপন
When Bangladesh was moving towards the eradication of measles, the outbreak of the disease occurred. According to the data of the Department of Health, from March 15 to April 29, about 36,000 patients were found with symptoms of measles. Among them, five thousand people have been confirmed to be infected with measles. 47 people died of measles. Apart from this, 227 people died with symptoms of measles. Experts say that those who have symptoms can be assumed to be infected with measles. Bangladesh has not recorded so many measles deaths in the last two decades.
Most of the measles cases and deaths are children. In a report on the measles situation in Bangladesh last week, the World Health Organization said 79 percent of those infected were children under the age of five. Among them, 66 percent are children under two years of age and 33 percent are children under 9 months.
The World Health Organization reports that most children who die under the age of two have not been vaccinated against measles. The UN agency has also highlighted the shortage of immunization in Bangladesh in 2024-25.
After that, the current government has taken a program of measles vaccination of children on an urgent basis. In this special program, about 1 crore 8 million children aged 6 to 59 months are being vaccinated by May 20.
If you want to know the reason for vaccinating women who want to get pregnant, you must first know why 9-month-old children are vaccinated against measles, why not before? In response to this, eminent virologist and former vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University (former BSMMU) Professor Nazrul Islam told Prothom Alo, “It was assumed that the antibodies in the mother’s body would work in the child’s body. Previously, it was thought that antibodies from the mother’s body protect the baby for several months. But now we see in reality, in many cases this protection is not enough.
Some of the experts are also talking about nutritional problems and not breastfeeding as the reason for this.
Prof. Nazrul Islam opined that measles vaccination should now be given to married women who are planning to have children due to the negligence of the extended vaccination program during the last interim government.
Nazrul Islam said, Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Once an infection spreads, it can quickly spread to many children. Ensuring that women are vaccinated before pregnancy can strengthen primary protection against measles after the baby is born.
However, if someone becomes pregnant, no more measles vaccination can be given, all experts agree.
Vaccine expert Tajul Islam told Prothom Alo that the currently used measles vaccine (MMR or MR) is a ‘live attenuated vaccine’. So it is not given during pregnancy. This vaccine can be taken only one to two-three months before conception.
In favor of vaccinating those who want to conceive, he said, “If those who want to become mothers take the vaccine in advance, then antibodies are produced in the body and it can provide some protection in the baby.”
He suggested that vaccination of fertile women should now be given serious consideration in addition to the National Immunization Program.
Some experts warn that more extensive research is needed in the country. In particular, it is important to make informed decisions about how effectively the mother’s immunization increases the child’s protection and how long that protection lasts.
Roshan Ara Begum, the former president of Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB), an organization of obstetricians and gynaecologists, told Prothom Alo, “Six-month-old children are being attacked – this is a warning for us. Vaccination of women planning to become mothers may be an effective prevention strategy. However, there needs to be at least a preliminary research on this. And if the vaccinators agree, then I think vaccination can be given.’
Professor Nazrul Islam also thinks that a study can be done. In this case, his advice, the children who have been infected with measles, their mothers can be tested for antibodies. Antibody testing of 400 mothers, 50 per section, will reveal the need for measles vaccination.
Rubella vaccination ‘urgent’
Measles comes with another disease. That is rubella, also known as measles. According to the World Health Organization, if a woman is infected with rubella during pregnancy, it can cause various problems for the unborn child. These include hearing loss, heart problems, eye problems. It is called ‘congenital rubella syndrome.’ Various experts have recommended this vaccination for women who want to conceive.
Former president of OGSB, gynecologist Dr. Ferdausi Begum told Prothom Alo, ‘Many women do not know that some vaccinations may be necessary before pregnancy. Pre-conception counseling is still not very common in our country. But it is possible to protect the health of both the mother and the child if necessary vaccinations are taken with the doctor’s advice before having a child. Among these, the rubella vaccine is particularly noteworthy. It is a terrible disease. Rubella vaccination should be given to pregnant women.
Ferdousi Begum thinks that girls and boys who have not been vaccinated can also be vaccinated against measles. He also added that it is recommended not to conceive for at least one month after vaccination to avoid any risk.
On the advice of experts, under the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), special programs have now been launched to vaccinate women intending to have children. In this case, the government should come forward.
Now the EPI program is being looked after by the Assistant Director of the Department of Health. Hasan Imam. He told Prothom Alo on Wednesday, ‘Now the measles vaccination program we have launched is on the advice of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). If they give any such suggestion, then we can start this program.”
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