“The situation remains tense“: measles surge in Almaty and Health Minister’s appeal
Tengrinews.kz – The measles situation in Almaty "remains tense," with new cases also being recorded in other regions of Kazakhstan. Against this backdrop, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova addressed the public.
Measles cases in Almaty
At a briefing in Almaty, doctors reported that since the beginning of 2026, 591 confirmed measles cases have been registered in the city. The majority of cases involve children under 14 years old, accounting for 557 cases.
According to medical data, 527 out of 591 patients diagnosed with measles had not been vaccinated for the following reasons:
295 cases — refusal of vaccination,
91 — medical contraindications,
141 — below the eligible vaccination age,
27 individuals — unknown vaccination status.
Currently, around six thousand people who had contact with infected patients are under medical supervision. More than 700 of them have received vaccination based on epidemiological indications.
In addition, routine vaccination of minors continues in Almaty. According to the schedule, children are vaccinated at one year and six years of age. Vaccination is also being provided to those previously unvaccinated — up to 18 years old, as well as infants aged six to ten months. Since the beginning of the year, more than seven thousand people have been vaccinated.
Refusals and medical exemptions in Almaty
Deputy head of Almaty’s Public Health Department, Laila Imangaliyeva, noted that from 2016 to 2025, 16,438 vaccination refusals were recorded in the city, with even higher numbers nationwide.
In 2025, 2,146 temporary and 539 permanent medical exemptions were registered. Officials explain that this figure is dynamic.
"Some patients are removed from the register after the expiration of a temporary medical exemption. Others, if there are medical indications, are added. Therefore, the total number may change throughout the year," Imangaliyeva said.
The department clarified that medical exemptions are not recalculated annually — statistics are kept cumulatively and regularly updated.
According to the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control, during the first two months of 2026, 95 children with medical exemptions contracted measles. In all of 2025, there were 61 such cases.
Health Minister’s appeal
New measles cases continue to be recorded in other regions. Against this backdrop, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova addressed the people of Kazakhstan.
"As a mother and as a doctor, I know that the most important thing for every parent is a child’s safety. Today, the country is experiencing an increase in measles cases. This is not a 'common childhood infection.' Measles is a serious disease that can lead to severe complications — pneumonia, nervous system damage, and other serious consequences. Young children are especially vulnerable," the minister reminded.
She added that Kazakhstan has launched additional immunization for children aged 6–10 months, organized vaccination for those who missed their shots, and strengthened preventive efforts. "We are already seeing a decrease in the rate of growth of cases, but the situation requires our collective responsibility," Alnazarova said, emphasizing that vaccination remains the only reliable protection, with its safety and effectiveness proven by many years of practice.