The Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires has decided to implement an extra vaccination dose due to an epidemiological alert triggered by the detection of four cases of measles in the Federal Capital. Leticia Ceriani, Undersecretary of Strategic Health Planning for the province, communicated that this measure is aimed at babies of 13 months, children from 4 years old, and babies between 6 and 11 months who have been in contact with the affected individuals.
According to Ceriani, the additional inoculation will be administered to those who have had zero or only one dose of the vaccine to boost their immunity. It has been mentioned that the National Calendar recommends the first dose of the measles, rubella, and mumps (MRM) vaccine at 12 months of age, followed by a second dose at 5 years.
The official noted that although the first dose of the vaccine is mostly effective, a small percentage of the population (between 5% and 10%) does not react adequately, leaving them susceptible to the disease. In the case of babies aged 6 to 11 months, the response to the vaccine may be insufficient due to their young age, which justifies the administration of an extra dose to strengthen their immunity.
So far, no cases of measles have been reported in the Buenos Aires district, as Ceriani stated.
