The Republic of Moldova buys vaccines only from producers authorized by the World Health Organization. The transportation, storing and injection standards are fully respected, while the last statistics show that immunization reduces the number of diseases among children tens of times. The situation is yet different in the case of those who refuse immunization. The data were presented by the Health Ministry in a conference dedicated to the European Immunization Week, IPN reports.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Octavian Grama, the vaccination plan shows positive results. “In 2012, there were reported no cases of poliomyelitis, tetanus, diphtheria or viral hepatitis B. When the neighboring countries faced an epidemic of measles, Moldova recorded only several cases that didn’t produce complications,” he stated.

Jarno Habicht, head of the World Health Organization Office in Chisinau, said that the WHO, in cooperation with the Moldovan authorities, will continue to make effort to improve the management of immunization. “We hope to introduce other types of vaccines. We should have sustainable coverage of a high quality,” he stated.

According to the UNICEF Representative in Moldova Alexandra Yuster, the number of deaths among children under five decreased by 50% in Moldova over the last five years. “The number of cases of death from measles fell by 70% during the last few years. Other diseases were exterminated,” she stated.

In Moldova, the vaccination coverage is 90%-98%, depending on the type of vaccination. After the last vaccines were administered, the Health Ministry recorded a low number of side effects.

Eleven types of viruses can be prevented by immunization in Moldova. The European Immunization Week is celebrated in all the European countries with the slogan: “Prevent, Protect, Immunize” between April 22 and 27.