Since 2005, vaccination coverage in Moldova in children aged 12 months and younger has decreased by approximately 10% for all antigens included in the national vaccination schedule, apart from the tuberculosis vaccine.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection says that these are alarming figures, with a major risk to public health, but also to the health of each individual citizen. To increase the awareness of citizens about the need for vaccination, the Ministry, with the support of the World Health Organization and UNICEF, launches the campaign "Vaccinate children, protect your future!" , IPN reports.
“Community wellbeing can be measured in the readiness and ability to deal with major public health emergencies, including those, caused by infectious diseases preventable by vaccinations. The whole society and each of us must realize what devastating effects some infectious diseases have, which are now reduced to minimum or even disappeared completely due to vaccination programs. It is important to understand that vaccination protects not only the person who is vaccinated, but also others, through herd immunity”, said Minister of Health Viorica Dumbraveanu.
The National Agency for Public Health, which implements the National Vaccination Program, warns the public about the increased risks of spreading diseases which can be prevented by vaccination.
According to MSMPS, in the last four years, 4,665,190 doses of vaccine were administered under the Vaccination Programme and among them only 454 moderate and severe adverse reactions were reported, which were treated without consequences or subsequent health problems. Also, in recent years there has been no record of anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction) or death following administration of the vaccine.
The Republic of Moldova receives the vaccines with verified quality, purchased through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which manages, tracks and controls the vaccines procurement process.
“The COVID-19 pandemic brought us to some extent where we started, when people didn't have access to life-saving vaccines. Today, fear of the unknown and vulnerability to an aggressive virus can easily remind us of the period our parents and grandparents went through. It is regrettable that considerable misinformation has also led to a decrease in confidence in vaccines and the vaccination rate of children in the Republic of Moldova. UNICEF Moldova will unconditionally support the joint efforts of the authorities to guarantee access to safe and accessible vaccines in order to protect children and the population of the Republic of Moldova and to ensure their right to health and well-being," said Desiree Jongsma, UNICEF Moldova country representative.
“We must do everything in our power to protect children, so that they do not become victims of this pandemic, for the simple reason that they may be vulnerable to diseases that can be prevented by vaccination, such as measles, diphtheria, mumps and rubella. Vaccination is one of the most effective public health actions we have at our disposal, a tool that protects children from serious diseases, including the some of them with an unfortunate end. We cannot allow the COVID-19 pandemic to cause this collateral damage, so we support national efforts to continue vaccination," said Igor Pokanevych, WHO representative in Moldova.
Currently, vaccination services are provided without interruption in primary medical institutions. Vaccines under the National Vaccination Schedule are available free of charge and can be given through your GP.
