At a clinic in Harhoura, a suburb of Rabat, Salma, 13, and her brother Souhail, 9, came to receive their second dose of the vaccine against this highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease. "We were unaware that they had not completed their vaccination against this virus and their parents became afraid of its spread.", says their grandmother, Rabia Maknouni.
This is part of a campaign of "urgent catch-up" It was in the school environment that the family discovered the two children's delayed vaccinations. This operation, which made it possible to check the vaccination status of 10 million children under 18, began at the end of October in an attempt to stem a disease that had almost disappeared in Morocco.
More than 120 deaths since October 2023
More than 25,000 people have been infected and more than 120 deaths have been recorded since October 2023, according to Mouad Mrabet, coordinator of the National Center for Public Health Emergency Operations. This resurgence is causing concern even in France, given the frequent travel between the two countries, particularly during school holidays.
Speaking of an epidemic that has reached a "historical level", the French Public Health Agency called "healthcare professionals should be vigilant when treating patients returning from a stay in Morocco."
In recent weeks, the number of infections has been steadily declining, according to Moroccan authorities, who have nevertheless decided to extend the campaign until March 28.
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“The influence of the global antivax movement”
The goal is to achieve herd immunity with a vaccination coverage of 95%. As of March 10, 55% of those scheduled to be vaccinated have received the injection, which shows that "There is still reluctance, but we hope to move forward." according to an official at the Ministry of Health. Mr. Mrabet attributes the return of the disease to "the influence of the global anti-vax movement, while measles vaccination has been in place in Morocco since the 1960s."
In January, government spokesman Mustapha Baitas had already deplored the impact of “false information that fuels citizens’ fear of vaccination,” particularly on social media. A phenomenon that is far from unique to Morocco. In the United States, amid growing distrust of health authorities and pharmaceutical companies, two unvaccinated people have died of measles in the southwest of the country.
In Morocco, a campaign has been launched in schools to raise awareness "that the vaccine is safe," explains Imane El Kohen, head of school health at the Ministry of Education. She warns of "misleading claims", such as the one that the measles vaccine is actually a fourth dose of the Covid vaccine.
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"There are still families who refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated."
Hasna Anouar, a nurse at the Harhoura dispensary, has been participating in vaccination check-ups at the start of each school year for years. Since the Covid pandemic in 2020, she says she has noticed "a phobia of vaccines" in some parents.
Before, there was no "no difficulty" to vaccinate children, she said. Today, "We need to hold interviews with some parents to explain to them the benefits of the vaccine." Health rights activist Ali Lotfi adds another explanation. For him, a "relaxation" of the Ministry of Health played a role in the epidemic.
During the Covid pandemic, vaccinations have declined "due to the lockdown and the fear of being contaminated in hospitals", he assures. Subsequently, "The ministry neglected this deficit and there was a slackening" in catching up and raising awareness, according to Mr. Lotfi.
The ministry defends itself by claiming that the vaccine remained available free of charge throughout the pandemic, and Mr. Mrabet insists: "There are still families who refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated." "This is one of the reasons for the extension of the campaign." current, he said, warning against the "anti-vax idea virus".
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