Sign in Subscribe
Vaccines

Mato Grosso Expands Measles Vaccine Application in Response to Regional Outbreak

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the measles virus has been reported in neighboring Bolivia, with 229 cases confirmed as of last Thursday, the State Department of Health (SES-MT) in Mato Grosso, Brazil, is taking proactive measures to prevent its spread. The department has expanded the application of the 'zero dose' of the measles vaccine to babies between 6 and 11 months and 29 days old across all 142 municipalities in the state. This strategy follows a Ministry of Health recommendation due to the risk of reintroduction of the virus and aims to provide early protection to the population.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 'zero dose' vaccine is being administered to babies between 6 and 11 months and 29 days old in all 142 municipalities of Mato Grosso, Brazil.
  • The expanded vaccination program does not replace the routine vaccination schedule, which should be continued at 12 and 15 months.
  • The measles vaccine is free through the Unified Health System (SUS) and is the primary form of prevention.
  • As of Friday, MMR vaccine coverage in Mato Grosso this year is 88% with the first dose and 65% with the second dose, aiming for a 95% coverage rate.
  • The Ministry of Health has distributed 166,500 doses of the MMR vaccine to all municipalities in Mato Grosso, with an additional 1,302 zero dose vaccines administered in the five priority municipalities bordering Bolivia.
  • Children with an allergy to cow's milk protein (CMPA) should receive the double viral vaccine, as the triple viral vaccine contains alpha-lactalbumin, which can cause an allergic reaction.

Statistics:

  • 229 cases of measles have been reported in Bolivia as of last Thursday (July 8).
  • 88% of children in Mato Grosso received the MMR vaccine's first dose this year.
  • 65% of children in Mato Grosso received the MMR vaccine's second dose this year.
  • 74,548 doses of the MMR vaccine have been administered in the state.
  • 1,302 doses of the zero dose vaccine have been administered in the five priority municipalities bordering Bolivia.
  • 166,500 doses of the MMR vaccine have been distributed to all municipalities in Mato Grosso.
  • 36 suspected measles cases were reported in the state in 2025, of which 34 were discarded and two are under investigation.

Sources:

  • "SES-Amplia dose zero da vacina contra o sarampo para todo o Estado." SECurity, 11.08.2023.

Read more