The “Vaccination Saves Lives” Campaign

For a year now Romania has been faced with a measles epidemic, which has so far made 25 victims.

Daniela Budu, 15.05.2017, 13:38

The campaign “Vaccination saves lives” launched by the Romanian Societies of General Practice and Microbiology will take place in Romania in the month of May in association with the Pro Immunization Association. The initiators of the campaign have already visited several cities of Romania, and until the end of the month, they will present, through a series of educational events for parents and children, the rules to be observed in order to prevent measles as well as information from experts in the field.

The president of the Pro Immunization campaign, Anca Drăgănescu, explained: “The vaccination rate in Romania has dropped, hence the considerable increase in the number of medical cases reported, cases which could have been prevented through vaccination. We need a campaign meant to inform the population in a correct and transparent manner. And we also need to send a warning signal. We have already registered 5,728 cases of measles and 25 deaths.”

According to Anca Drăgănescu, people should correctly understand the benefits and risks of immunization through vaccination, given that this is the only means to prevent some sever contagious diseases that can lead to complications and long-term disabilities. The actions of the Association come in the context in which doctors are concerned by the great number of parents who have refused or continue to refuse to vaccinate their children. In turn, some parents argue that their children’s right to health and life is infringed through exposure to all sorts of adverse effects that vaccines may have. They argue that, through the vaccination bill, which is currently under public debate, the authorities violate children’s right to education, since children’s school enrollment is conditioned on their vaccination schedule.

Before joining a group, children need to be vaccinated, says PhD professor Ioan Gherghina with the National Institute for Maternal and Child Health. “These are also the recommendations of the World Health Organization, not only my recommendation. In France, vaccination of children is compulsory before they are enrolled in school. In certain countries even adults who have not completed their vaccination schedule are refused employment in certain institutions.”

Health minister, Florian Bodog, draws attention that parents have the obligation to take their children to a doctor when a health condition appears, to be informed on the adverse reactions of vaccines, but that they are not forced to vaccinate their kids.

Florin Bodog: “Parents have the right to refuse vaccination, but once they refuse, they have the obligation to assume their gesture. I have read somewhere that vaccination is like baptism. If we are believers and have our kids baptized, why not have them vaccinated as well.”

Upon the request of the health minister, the European Commission has approved, in emergency procedure, the decision to temporarily suspend exports within the EU of the combined vaccine that protects against measles, rubella and mumps. The EC has deemed the measure justified, given that Romania has been facing a measles epidemic for a year now and, moreover, it does not have vaccine reserves.

(Translated by Lacramioara Simion)