Ahead of the autumn-winter period, Kazakhstan has adopted a set of anti-epidemic measures aimed at preventing outbreaks of seasonal diseases. The Chief State Sanitary Physician of the republic has signed an annual decree regulating preparations for the 2026-2027 epidemic season, reports infohub.kz.
According to the document, a vaccination campaign for vulnerable groups against influenza will start on September 15. Starting October 1, a mandatory mask regime will be introduced for medical personnel, which will not yet affect ordinary citizens.
Isolated filters will be organized in polyclinics to receive patients with ARVI symptoms. Pregnant women and children under one year with signs of infections are planned to be examined mainly at home.
In parallel, hospitals will be provided with a reserve of medicines and will strengthen control over the bed fund. If the occupancy of infectious and intensive care units reaches 85%, additional reserve beds will be deployed.
Epidemiological control will also be tightened: from September 1, the incidence rate will be monitored weekly, and from October 1, daily monitoring will be introduced. This will allow for prompt targeted restrictions if the situation worsens.
In educational institutions, attendance monitoring and morning filters will be introduced as part of prevention. In case of ARVI outbreaks, the following measures are provided: if the incidence in a class is from 20% to 30%, it will be placed under medical observation for 7 days with the cancellation of transitions between classrooms. If the incidence exceeds 30%, the school class will be fully transferred to distance learning, and the work of a kindergarten group will be suspended.
Recall that in November last year, Astana saw an increase in the incidence of ARVI and flu. Then, in many institutions and offices, a mask regime was reintroduced, as in the first years of the coronavirus pandemic.