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WHO Regional Director for Europe participated at the Conference "Vaccination: A Public Health Issue. Children, beyond figures", organized în Bucharest
Rubella and measles can and must be eliminated in Romania, and confidence in immunization must rise, Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe said on Thursday in Bucharest.
I am delighted with the involvement of the Government, of Parliament in solving this problem and reducing measles and rubella in Romania. (...) Immunization has saved many children's lives over the last few years, and this is the first prevention measure, the most important we have at hand. (...) We must continue with the immunization of people in many regions of the world. We need to increase confidence in immunization. The myth of anti-vaccination can lead to people's refusal to vaccinate, but at the same time it can open the door to certain diseases. (...) We must carry on, to eliminate these diseases. (...) Rubella and measles can and must be eliminated in Romania. We have to make sure that Romania joins the other states that have succeeded in eliminating these diseases, the WHO Regional Director for Europe told the Conference "Vaccination: A Public Health Issue. Children, beyond figures," organized at the Palace of Parliament.
According to her, the largest measles outbreak in recent years was recorded in Romania.
The outbreak in Romania began in January 2016 and spread throughout the country with 4,881 cases recorded, including 23 deaths so far. All ages were affected, but children in particular. (...) 97 percent of these cases occurred in people who had not been vaccinated. (...) A timely vaccination could have been accomplished or should be a priority for the immunization program. All persons must have access to immunization. Practically, through vaccination people can protect themselves against certain diseases, the doctor said.
The Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella WHO elimination will meet between June 15-17 in Bucharest, the representative added.