Thirty-seven measles cases have been reported in Moldova since the beginning of this year. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious complications. Eighteen of the 37 cases were recorded in a Chisinau temporary placement center for Ukrainian refugees. Deputy head of the General Medical and Social Assistance Division of Chisinau Vladimir Bolocan said that the vaccination rate in Ukraine, especially against measles, is very low, but the vaccine is the only remedy that prevents infection with measles, IPN reports.

“As long as the person is not vaccinated, they can not only get sick, but can also be the transmitter or source of infection for those around them, measles being a highly contagious virus by its characteristics. Respectively, coming from a community where vaccination is not at a high enough level, they are those who imported measles, being refugees from Ukraine,” Vladimir Bolocan said in a Chisinau LIVE podcast.

He noted that an extensive campaign is to be launched before World Immunization Week. There has been a 5% decrease in measles vaccination coverage in the capital city as well. Currently, the rate stands at around 78%. The decrease was due to anti-vaccination messages spread during the COVID-19 period, to scare stories disseminated in the public space without scientific argumentation. The citizens are urged to trust vaccination, which is another form of medicine administered specifically to prevent infection with diseases that cannot be cured.