(15 January 2026 | Source: Centralmedia24.kz)
In the Zhambyl region, the number of measles cases has risen sharply in the first weeks of 2026, with the disease mainly affecting young children. According to the regional health department, a significant proportion of patients had not been vaccinated, and the highest number of cases is concentrated in the regional centre.
WHO IS MOST OFTEN GETTING SICK
As Centralmedia24.kz reports, citing the Zhambyl region health department, out of 191 confirmed cases:
- 43 cases — children aged under 1 year;
- 42 cases are among children aged 1 year;
- 54 cases have been recorded among children aged 2–5 years.
Thus, the main burden falls on young children, including those who have not yet completed their full vaccination schedule.
GEOGRAPHY OF THE OUTBREAK
The majority of cases have been identified in Taraz. According to the department, 155 patients, or 81%, have been registered in the city alone. In other districts of the region, the number of cases ranges from 1 to 14, indicating an uneven spread of the infection across the area.
THE ROLE OF VACCINATION
Among all those who fell ill, 85% had not been vaccinated. The health department specifies that the reasons for lack of vaccination are distributed as follows:
- 33% — refusals of vaccination;
- 15% — medical exemptions;
- 22% — not yet reaching the vaccination age.
Other reasons are not specified in the materials.
OVERALL NATIONAL PICTURE
The source also reminds that in December 2025, a sharp increase in measles cases was recorded in Kazakhstan. On some days, between 20 and 25 new cases were identified across the country. Against this backdrop, unscheduled vaccination of children was launched in Almaty to reduce epidemiological risks.