Mexico applies 13 million vaccines against measles outbreak

Authorities report progress in the mass vaccination campaign while hiring thousands of doctors to reinforce the system.

The figure that does matter: 13.3 million punctures

The Mexican health authorities have just released the number: since February, they have administered 13.3 million vaccines against measles. According to Eduardo Clark García, Undersecretary of Health, this has managed to reduce active cases by almost 30% in recent weeks.

“The goal is to vaccinate 2.5 million people per week to reach a total of 25 million doses,” said Clark García.

The strategy, they say, is deployed in macro kiosks, neighborhoods and public squares. The states that lead the application are the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Jalisco and Veracruz.

RelatedVaccines stop the spread of measles in Mexico

The epicenter and fragile memory

Here comes the data that requires context: 60% of active cases are concentrated in Jalisco. Guadalajara and its metropolitan area are the focus. David Kershenobich, head of Health, gave the accumulated figures: 4,653 total cases, with 617 active and, so far, four deaths.

The official fatality rate remains at 0.09%. A low number that, however, represents lives. The question that hangs in the air is always the same: how does a country with historic vaccination programs get to this point?

Meanwhile, institutions move. The IMSS hired 10,785 specialist doctors this year to reinforce hospitals. The ISSSTE added another 1,295.

“These hires seek to strengthen medical coverage and expand services,” said Zoé Robledo, director of the IMSS.

Alejandro Svarch Pérez, from the IMSS-Bienestar, added another number to the pile: the Health Routes have distributed 45 million pieces of medicines so far this year alone.

They are huge figures. Impressive even. The official narrative is clear: there is a plan, there is action and there are results. The 30% reduction in active cases is its star test.

The effort is undeniable. Thousands of professionals mobilized, millions of doses applied. But the shadow of the resurgence persists as an uncomfortable reminder: in public health, victory is never final. It is only maintained with constant surveillance… and with a collective memory that does not forget how we got here.

INEHRM becomes a research and teaching center

The INEHRM is transformed into a research and teaching center under the new secretariat.

Transformation of the INEHRM

President Claudia Sheinbaum signed the decree that transfers the National Institute of Historical Studies of the Revolutions of Mexico (INEHRM) to the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (SECIHTI). The institute becomes a decentralized public body with an academic focus.

Rosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez, head of SECIHTI, explained that the new scheme will train specialists in history to strengthen national capacities in social sciences and humanities.

Felipe Arturo Ávila Espinosa, director of the INEHRM, explained that the study plans will link historical knowledge with social, economic, political and cultural problems of the country, and will address the needs of the Federal Public Administration.

Hybrid educational offer

The offer will include bachelor’s degrees in History, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Public Administration and Good Government. In postgraduate studies, master’s degrees will be added in Mexican Humanism, Gender and Feminism Studies, and Social Movements and Rescue of Historical Memory. There will also be specialties in Political Communication and History Teaching.

Graduates will cover topics such as agrarianism, health, migration, artificial intelligence, violence and human rights.

Headquarters and call

The new headquarters will be at 80 Guatemala Street, Historic Center of Mexico City. The first admission call will be launched in July, and classes will begin in September.

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Prosecutor’s Office grants protection measures to victim of family violence

The Morelos Prosecutor's Office issued protection measures after a complaint of family violence against the former director of Pemex.

The Morelos Attorney General’s Office activated protection measures in favor of Felicia Jiménez Lavie, who filed a complaint for family violence against her husband, Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, former director of Pemex. This was reported by prosecutor Fernando Blumenkron Escobar.

The measures, the official explained, will be available when the victim requires them. The complaint was filed in Mexico City and the Women’s Secretariat of the Government of Mexico directly follows up on the case.

Investigation in progress

Until now, Jiménez Lavie has not gone to the local Public Ministry to contribute more elements to the investigation folder. This was initiated ex officio last Friday, June 26, after a video was broadcast with images of attacks against the woman.

Blumenkron assured that the portfolio continues its integration. “The proceedings have not stopped and we are going to continue to guarantee justice for the victim,” he said. In addition, he indicated that there is coordination with the Women’s Secretariat and the capital’s Prosecutor’s Office, under the care route for victims of family violence.

Among the actions carried out, the Morelos Prosecutor’s Office seeks to locate the address where the physical assault occurred, to carry out expert reports in accordance with the images of the video broadcast by the victim herself.

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Trump does not extend T-MEC: Mexico faces annual review

US rejects automatic extension of the T-MEC; validity is reduced to 10 years with annual review.

Rejection of automatic extension

The United States decided not to automatically renew the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) for 16 years. This reduces its validity to a decade with an annual review. The measure generated concern among Mexican legislators.

Ricardo Monreal, coordinator of Morena in San Lázaro, explained that the treaty remains in force for another 10 years, but subject to evaluation each year. He noted that the United States presented 54 observations, including issues such as the vaquita porpoise and piracy. Mexico, for its part, raised 13 points, including clause 232 on tariffs.

“Only it will be reviewed year after year, but the Treaty is not finished, it continues for another 10 years because that is how it was signed six years ago,” declared Monreal.

The legislator warned that Donald Trump has been a constant critic of the USMCA and called for considering the benefits it has brought to the three nations.

Reactions of the opposition

Héctor Saúl Téllez, vice economic coordinator of the PAN, considered that the US position shows a lack of strategic anticipation on the part of the federal government.

“The US decision not to automatically extend the USMCA for 16 years in today’s review is not the end of the treaty, but it does reveal a lack of strategic anticipation by the federal government,” he stated.

Téllez recalled that Article 34.7 of the agreement had been known since 2018. Reaching July 1 without a clean extension represents a risk that, he said, should have been avoided.

The annual review will allow adjustments, but uncertainty about the future of regional trade persists. Mexico and Canada will seek to maintain the stability of the agreement for the next ten years.

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