(19 February 2026 | Source: press service of the Akimat of Astana)
In Astana, cases of measles among children continue to be recorded, despite a decrease in hospital admissions since January 2026. Doctors emphasise that the infection remains particularly dangerous for those who are unvaccinated.
WHEN THE RISE IN CASES BEGAN
The Deputy Director for Medical Affairs of the Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No. 3, Roza Utegenova, noted that from October 2025, an increase in the number of children admitted with measles was observed. The highest number of hospitalisations occurred in November-December 2025. Since January 2026, a decline has been recorded, but cases of the disease continue.
Currently, more than 50 children with a diagnosis of measles are in hospital. Among the patients are children under the age of five, as well as schoolchildren and students from secondary and higher educational institutions.
WHY UNVACCINATED CHILDREN ARE GETTING SICK
One mother, Bekzada Amirzhanova, spoke about the illness of her two-year-old daughter, Asylym. Symptoms appeared on Wednesday: a high temperature developed, and by Saturday a rash appeared. Doctors diagnosed measles and immediately admitted the child to the infectious diseases ward. The mother admitted that the children had not been vaccinated and regretted this decision after the hospitalisation.
THE DANGER OF MEASLES AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Roza Utegenova emphasised that measles is a vaccine-preventable infection and can cause serious complications — bronchitis, pneumonia, and damage to other organs, particularly the central nervous system. The disease is transmitted via airborne droplets, so contact with a sick person is extremely dangerous for unvaccinated children.
In Kazakhstan, the first vaccination against measles is given at the age of one year, using a combined vaccine against measles, rubella, and mumps. Given the epidemiological situation, a decree from the chief state sanitary doctor is in force regarding additional immunisation for children from six months of age. However, the percentage of vaccinated children remains low, which, according to specialists, requires greater responsibility from parents.
WHAT DOCTORS ARE SAYING TO PARENTS
The hospital doctors are appealing to parents not to delay vaccination and to protect their children from dangerous infections in a timely manner. Timely immunisation remains the key means of preventing measles and its associated complications.
THE MEASLES SITUATION IN THE WKO
In the West Kazakhstan Region, since the beginning of 2026, 91 patients with measles have been hospitalised, of whom 79 are children. The majority of those who fell ill were unvaccinated, and two children are in the intensive care unit. The incidence rate has increased 10.5 times compared to January 2025. Doctors stress that measles is more severe in unvaccinated children, and vaccination remains the primary means of protection.