Vaccination has long been one of the most effective tools to prevent serious illnesses.
Many countries have achieved high coverage levels, protecting their populations from dangerous diseases.
Unfortunately, Romania is struggling in this area. According to a recent report by the European Commission and OECD, Romania has the lowest vaccination rates in Europe for measles and hepatitis B.
The study, titled “Health at a Glance: Europe 2024,” uses data from 2023. It shows Romania’s measles vaccination coverage at just 60% and hepatitis B coverage at 80%.
By comparison, countries like Hungary have achieved 100% coverage. Even war-torn Ukraine surpasses Romania, with nearly 90% for measles and 80% for hepatitis B.
Professor Simin-Aysel Florescu from the Victor Babeș Infectious Diseases Hospital in Bucharest describes the situation as severe.
She says low vaccination rates directly lead to high numbers of preventable diseases. Measles outbreaks, for example, continue to affect Romania.
While the epidemic has slowed, it has not ended. Other diseases, such as whooping cough, are also on the rise.
Whooping cough cases have dramatically increased since the fall. At Victor Babeș Hospital, hundreds of cases have been reported, many involving entire families.
These cases often involve complications, especially for unvaccinated individuals.
Dr. Florescu warns that reducing vaccination levels will lead to the reappearance of diseases that had been nearly eliminated.
Romania’s vaccination challenges extend beyond these diseases. Dr. Gindrovel Dumitra, a coordinator of the Vaccinology Group, notes that hepatitis B vaccination rates are also falling.
Only 80% of the population is vaccinated, far below the ideal target of 95%. This decline increases the risk of severe outcomes such as liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Vaccination campaigns have historically improved survival rates for children and overall population health.
Diseases like measles, polio, and diphtheria were once eliminated in many regions thanks to vaccination.
However, when coverage drops, these diseases return. Experts stress the need to rebuild trust in vaccines and expand coverage to protect the population from preventable illnesses.
