Education Ministry Mandates Vaccination Cards for Students Returning from Winter Break

La Paz, Bolivia – The Ministry of Education has issued a directive instructing school directors to require vaccination cards from students upon their return from winter holidays. This measure is a preventative step against the spread of measles, a highly contagious disease. A representative from the Ministry highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that measles is three times more contagious than COVID-19, with one infected person potentially transmitting the virus to 18 others. Given the close proximity of students in classrooms, where class sizes range from 25 to 30 students, the risk of rapid transmission is significant. The Ministry emphasized that parents and guardians bear the primary responsibility for ensuring their children are vaccinated. For initial level students (first and second sections), a complete vaccination card will be required for enrollment. If a student does not possess a complete vaccination card, school directors are instructed to facilitate arrangements for medical personnel to administer the necessary doses at the schools. This new requirement aims to bolster public health efforts and ensure the safety of the student population as they resume in-person learning after the break.