Bishkek, Oct. 7, 2026 /Kabar/. Between 2023 and 2025, 30,388 cases of measles were recorded in Kyrgyzstan. Among those infected, there were 9,708 cases of pneumonia complications, 3,498 cases of gastrointestinal complications, 15 cases of encephalitis, and 26 fatalities. An additional 680 cases were recorded between January and September 2026. Gulbara Ishenapysova, Deputy Minister of Health, announced these figures at a press conference held at Kabar news agency.
According to her, immunization is a priority area of state policy regarding public health. Each year, the immunization program covers more than 900,000 people.
"Today, it is particularly important to discuss vaccination based on reliable data. Issues related to vaccinations, including vaccine composition and safety, potential post-vaccination reactions, contraindications, and the rules for admitting unvaccinated children to schools and kindergartens are being actively discussed on social media and across the internet. Our task is to provide the public with clear, professional, and accurate information in a timely manner," she said.
The deputy minister also clarified the regulations regarding school and kindergarten attendance for unvaccinated children.
She noted that a lack of preventive vaccinations does not automatically or permanently restrict a child's right to education. Temporary restrictions are a measure applied only in specific epidemiological situations, such as mass outbreaks of infectious diseases or the threat of an epidemic.
According to the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, out of 680 measles cases recorded between January and September 2026, 408 were in Bishkek and 404 in Chui region.
Cases of other vaccine-preventable infections are also being reported. Between 2023 and 2025, seven suspected cases of diphtheria were recorded, with two more in the first eight months of 2026; however, subsequent testing ruled out diphtheria in all instances.
In 2025, two cases of tetanus were recorded among schoolchildren aged 11 and 15. Both cases were linked to a refusal of vaccination within the home. In the first eight months of 2026, 908 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) were recorded, with the highest number of cases occurring in Bishkek.
Ishenapysova noted that vaccines undergo both international and state quality control, and the government allocates significant funds for their procurement.
"The state allocates significant funds for vaccine procurement. In 2026, over 397 million soms are being directed toward this purpose. Of this amount, 186 million soms is funded by the national budget, while 211 million soms is provided by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance."
Ishenapysova calls parents on timely vaccination.
