Risk of measles outbreaks excluded in Russia

Russia’s average share of people vaccinated against measles exceeds 95%, a spokesperson for the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being said.

"The average share of people vaccinated against measles exceeds 95%, which excludes the risk of an epidemic," the spokesperson said.

In some areas, the share of vaccinated people is below the targeted level, which is why the situation has become more difficult, the watchdog said.

"As of April 20, measles outbreaks were contained in the regions where the situation is the most difficult (the Novosibirsk, Dagestan and Samara regions)," the statement reads.

The spokesperson stressed that the measles virus was genetically stable so its mutations were insignificant and Russia’s vaccine remained effective.

The watchdog earlier said that there was no need to introduce any restrictions over the measles situation in Russia.