This month, the Vaslui Public Health Directorate (DSP) carries out implementation activities of the “National Vaccination Information Month” campaign and, between April 21 – 27, celebrates the “European Vaccination Week”.
Health experts point out that measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours. Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has not experienced the disease at some point in their life can become infected. A rash is the most visible symptom, while complications can include blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhea and associated dehydration, ear infections, and pneumonia. In the long term, a person who has suffered from measles can develop a very severe complication, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
“Measles is a disease that weakens the immune system and can make it forget how to protect itself against other common infections. Infants, pregnant women, people with diseases that weaken the immune system are at risk of developing severe forms of measles. To protect even these people who cannot be vaccinated against measles, it is important to vaccinate people around them with high vaccination coverage. Vaccination protects both the vaccinated person and the surrounding people! Although measles is a disease targeted for elimination in most World Health Organization (WHO) regions, including the European Region, the WHO European Region is currently experiencing an alarming increase in measles cases and deaths. Between January and December 2023, 58,114 measles cases were reported by 41 of the region’s 53 member states (more than 60 times more than in 2022). Ten countries, including Romania, reported 98% of the total number of cases (57,111). The increase in the number of cases has accelerated in recent months, and this trend is expected to continue in the region, if urgent measures are not taken to prevent further spread”, state the representatives of the Public Health Directorate (DSP) Vaslui.
In this context, between 21 and 27 April 2024, the European Vaccination Week is celebrated in the WHO European Region. The aim of this campaign is to increase vaccination coverage by raising awareness of the importance of immunization among parents and caregivers, health professionals and policy makers, and last but not least, the media.
In Romania, between January 1, 2023 and March 5, 2024, 7,243 confirmed cases of measles were notified, of which eight were deaths. Confirmed measles cases were reported in 40 counties and in Bucharest. The highest incidence is reported in the counties of Brașov, Mureș, Covasna and Giurgiu.
“Measles vaccination (with combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccine – ROR) is included in the National Vaccination Program, and can be done free of charge at the family doctor. Between December 6, 2023 and March 3, 2024, according to data extracted from the National Electronic Register of Vaccinations (RENV), 89,478 children were vaccinated against measles, of which 14,494 in the additional measles vaccination campaign initiated in an epidemic context (addressed to children with ages 9 to 11 months). The national Information, Education, Communication (IEC) campaign – “National Vaccination Information Month” – is methodologically coordinated by the Ministry of Health through the National Institute of Public Health and is implemented locally by the county public health departments. On the national territory, under the slogan: “Say NO to measles, say YES to vaccination!”, activities involving the medical staff and informing the population will take place. The risk of resurgence of infectious diseases (e.g., polio, diphtheria) and the danger of measles outbreaks will be emphasized, reminding parents to vaccinate their children, and encouraging dialogue between parents and medical staff to answer questions or concerns related to vaccination”, DSP Vaslui representatives also sent.
They mention that, at the county level, coordination is provided by the Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control Department, led by Dr. Luminița Costache. More information can be obtained from the following addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], but also at the phone numbers 0235/362.194 and 0235/362.195, as well as from the website https://dspvs.garohost.ro/.
2024-04-05 00:03:50
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