Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Interview | WHO: It is important for parents to apply for information about vaccination to medical specialists and official sources Nargis Shekinskaya Healthcare On the eve of the European Immunization Week, which starts on April 27, the technical specialist of the European Bureau of the World Health Organization (WHO) Lyudmila Mosina told the UN news service about the main challenges facing national immunization programs in the region, as well as the efforts aimed at restoring the level of vaccination coverage after pandemia COVID-19. negative impact of pandemia According to Lyudmila Mosina, the pandemic of the Covid-19 dealt a serious blow to the immunization programs. In many countries, children and adults missed vaccinations, and the overall coverage of vaccination has decreased. “Many countries have reached a certain progress in the conduct of catchy vaccination and increasing coverage of target groups, but we still did not return to the level of 2020,” she said. In 2023, only 79 percent of the countries in the European region of WHO reached the recommended 90 percent coverage by vaccination against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. 62 ~~ 60 > 60 decrease in coverage. increase the number of outbreaks of controlled infections. So, in 2024, more than 120 thousand cases of measles were registered in the region – the largest number of cases since 1997. 38 people died from measles. “The causes of the outbreaks lie in the growth of the number of persons susceptible to infection by reducing coverage by vaccination, including during pandemia,” explained the specialist. ~ 60 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 ~ 62See also: > 62 ~ in the European region the largest number of measles of measles over the last 25 are registered in the last 25 Years 60 ~ h3 >~ 60 > even in countries with high vaccination coverage there are separate regions or vulnerable groups with low immunization levels, which contributes to the spread of the virus Cores. 60 ~ h2 > distrust and misinformation Vaccination disinformation is common on the Internet, especially on social networks. However, studies conducted in the countries of the region show: despite the negative content, the main factor affecting the decision of the parents remain the recommendations of medical workers. “Therefore, we focus on teaching doctors and providing them with scientifically based information,” says Mosina. WHO also helps the countries organize special trainings to improve the communication of doctors with parents, especially doubting. ~ 60 > problems of access to vaccines 60 > whore actively working to ensure equal access to vaccination for vaccination for Vulnerable groups of the population: migrants, refugees, socially unprotected. Within the framework of the regional strategy, the organization helps countries to identify such groups, study the causes of limited access and develop specific measures to eliminate these barriers. Similar studies are already taking place in Central Asia, in the Caucasus and Eastern Europe. It is interesting that, contrary to expectations, sometimes not poor or illiterate, but wealthy and educated parents in large cities are faced with barriers regarding vaccination. One of the reasons is the inaccurate information received from medical workers not directly involved in immunization programs. ~ 60 > convincing examples of vaccination efficiency ~ 60 > mosin, which was 50 years old in 2024 moment of starting the expanded IMMNISE program of WHO. During this time, according to experts, more than 154 million deaths were prevented, mainly among children. She also gave an example of the success of the vaccination program against hepatitis B in the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. For 20 years, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in these regions decreased from 3-8 percent to 0.2 percent – the infection was practically eliminated among children vaccinated cohort. ~ 60 >~ 60 > adult vaccination cart Recommends immunization of adults against meningococcal infection, pneumococcus, hepatitis A and B, as well as seasonal vaccination against influenza and Covid-19, especially for people from risk groups. Countries are increasingly included in their programs that make up for adult vaccination, including HPV – for both women and men. recommendation for parents 60 > “vaccination will help protect your children from hazardous diseases. Information about vaccines and their security is on official sites of WHO and National Ministry of Health. Contact there, as well as to the medical workers you trust. This will help you make a balanced and informed decision, ”Lyudmila Mosina emphasized.