Europe remembers there are ‘safe and effective’ measles vaccines

Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides today reminded that there are “safe and effective” vaccines available to tackle the “alarming” rise in measles cases in the European Union, so she called for Europeans to ensure they have up-to-date vaccination information. Kyriakides responded after the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned of a rise in cases, especially in EU regions where vaccination rates are lower, in its latest risk assessment published this Friday.

“The upward trend in measles incidence in Europe is worrying,” the Cypriot commissioner said, before warning that it a “highly contagious” disease that can lead to “serious complications”, especially in children and vulnerable people. The community leader emphasized that when there is a measles epidemic, it is known that “There is a gap” in vaccinations, so he asked Europeans to “check” their situation and suggested parents “make sure their children and teenagers’ vaccines are up to date.”

“Vaccination protects and saves lives and is one of the most powerful tools against measles and many other infectious diseases,” completed.

To reduce transmission of the disease, 95% or more of the population must be vaccinated with two doses, the European Commission reminds, which adds that the ECDC has called on public health authorities in EU countries to “maintain high vaccination coverage.” guarantee means of control and early detection” and raise awareness among health sector professionals.

The resurgence of measles incidence is mainly due to drop in vaccination coverage between 2020 and 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic: From 96% for the first dose in 2019, it rose to 93% three years later; and with the second, this figure fell from 92% in 2019 to 91% in 2022. WHO estimates that between 2020 and 2022, more than 1.8 children in the region were not vaccinated against measles.

Many countries where measles has been declared eradicated have reported cases in recent months and are at risk of outbreaks due to imported virus.