Moldovans avoid vaccination

The number of people who refuse to be vaccinated against different diseases is on the rise in Moldova. A study made by UNICEF shows most of the persons who refuse to be immunized are from towns. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and the World Health Organization have launched a campaign to inform the people about the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, Info-Prim Neo reports. UNICEF Representative in Moldova Alexandra Yuster told a news conference that infections can be prevented only by timely immunization. “Though the number of those who refuse to be vaccinated is not so high in Moldova, this is a reason for concern. The population must realize that immunization saves lives. 3 million people survive yearly worldwide owing to vaccines,” she said. According to the Ministry of Health, about 3,000 children born in 2009 have not been vaccinated, the parents endangering the lives of these and other children from the community. Usually, the persons who refuse to be immunized form part of mobile groups of people who do not have a permanent place of residence, mainly the Romani people. The vaccination rate against diphtheria, tetanus, convulsive cough, measles, mumps, poliomyelitis and viral hepatitis B at target ages fell under 95% during the last two years. Two cases of tetanus in persons who have not been vaccinated against this disease have been recorded in the period. One person has died. Deputy Minister of Health Mihai Magdei stressed there is no effective treatment for viral infections. Thus, immunization remains the only safe health protection method. Moldova has a national vaccination program for 2006-2010. A new program for 2011-2015 it to be approved.