Measles in Romania – clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized measles cases during the first three years of the 2016-ongoing epidemic

Pițigoi, Daniela; Săndulescu, Oana; Crăciun, Maria; Drăgănescu, Anca; Jugulete, Gheorghiță; Streinu‐Cercel, Anca; Vişan, Angelica; Rîciu, Claudia; Rafilă, Alexandru; Aramă, Victoria; Luminos, Monica; Streinu‐Cercel, Adrian

doi:10.1080/21505594.2020.1771948

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Complacency, mistrust in authorities, procurement issues and other components of a malfunctioning system concurred in a constant decrease in vaccine coverage over the past 15 years in Romania [ 6 ]. As a consequence, our country has recently experienced a measles epidemic following a sharp decrease in MMR vaccination coverage [ 7 ]. Overall, the current vaccination coverage of children in Romania is about 86.3% for Hex, 85.3% for PCV13 and 86.2% for MMR [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optional Vaccines in Children—Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Romanian Parents

Miron

Toma²,

Filimon

et al. 2022

Vaccines

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Vaccination is one of the most useful medical interventions for controlling certain infectious diseases. The aim of current research is to identify some of the drivers of vaccine hesitancy or acceptance in a rather skeptical European population by addressing parental perception on optional vaccination (OV) perception. Novel tools, delivered by social media, were used in our research attempt. A validated questionnaire was distributed online among parents. Parental knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of OV were analyzed. The majority of parent respondents (55.1%) showed very good knowledge about vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases, and 76.0% stated that they had given at least one optional vaccine to at least one of their children. The most common optional vaccine administered was the rotavirus vaccine. The level of knowledge appeared to be related to compliance with OV. Concurrently, the rate of vaccine acceptance in the NIP (National Immunization Program) was not correlated with the level of parental knowledge. In total, a high percentage of parents (77.6%) believed that OV can bring an additional health safety benefit to their children. This study shows the need to involve the medical community in a steady dialogue with parents about OV. Raising awareness by presenting clear and understandable information could be a game-changing intervention in mitigating the public health impact of OV-preventable diseases.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optional Vaccines in Children—Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Romanian Parents

Miron

Toma²,

Filimon

et al. 2022

Vaccines

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“… 106 , 111 In 2016, in response to the continued epidemic, additional SIAs targeting children ≤9 years were rolled out in outbreak areas, and then nationwide with mixed responses; overall only 31% of the eligible children were vaccinated. 113 In general, uptake was greatest for MCV1 dosing in children <5 years, but with a far lower MCV2 uptake in 5–9-year-olds. Substantial regional variation in uptake was apparent, with uptake for either dose below 30% in some western districts with high measles case numbers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“… 114 Vaccine refusal remains an important barrier to greater MCV uptake in eligible children, especially in urban areas, both for scheduled vaccinations and for those targeted by recent SIAs. 109 , 110 , 113 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolving measles status and immunization policy development in six European countries

Vojtek

Larson

Plotkin

et al. 2022

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics

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Developing and implementing new immunization policies in response to shifting epidemiology is a critical public health component. We adopted a mixed-methods approach (via narrative literature review [101 articles] and 9 semi-structured interviews) to evaluate policy development in response to shifting measles epidemiology in six European countries (Italy, Belgium, Germany, Romania, UK, and Ukraine); where policies and strategies have evolved in response to country-specific disease and vaccination patterns. Periodic outbreaks have occurred in all countries against a background of declining measles-containing-vaccine (MCV) uptake and increasing public vaccine hesitancy (with substantial regional or social differences in measles burden and vaccine uptake). Health-care worker (HCW) vaccine skepticism is also seen. While many outbreaks arise or involve specific susceptible populations (e.g., minority/migrant communities), the broader pattern is spread to the wider (and generally older) population; often among incompletely/non-vaccinated individuals as a legacy of previous low uptake. Immunization policy and strategic responses are influenced by political and social factors, where public mistrust contributes to vaccine hesitancy. A strong centralized immunization framework (allied with effective regional implementation and coherent political commitment) can effectively increase uptake. Mandatory vaccination has increased childhood MCV uptake in Italy, and similar benefits could be anticipated for other countries considering vaccine mandates. Although possible elsewhere, socio-political considerations render mandating impractical in other countries, where targeted immunization activities to bolster routine uptake are more important. Addressing HCW skepticism, knowledge gaps, improving access and increasing public/community engagement and education to address vaccine hesitancy/mistrust (especially in communities with specific unmet needs) is critical.

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“…To achieve this goal, each country needs to ensure high immunization coverage (>95%) with two doses of MMR. When coverage falls below this threshold, the risk of measles outbreaks or epidemics increases exponentially [28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology Survey of Measles in Kazakhstan

Zhuzzhasarova

Baesheva

Turdalina

et al. 2021

Open Access Maced J Med Sci

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BACKGROUND: Measles (rubella) is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus in the Paramyxoviridae family. The measles virus is directly responsible for more than 100,000 deaths each year. Epidemiological studies have linked measles to increased morbidity and mortality many years after infection, but the reasons underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. The virus attacks immune cells, causing acute suppression of the immune system. The World Health Organization recommends a two-dose vaccination policy, with the first dose administered during the 1st year of life, and coverage should be maintained in at least 90–95% of the population to halt transmission. In many countries, the measles vaccine is included in the immunization program and is freely available to all. Today, despite active immunization of the population, measles still occurs in the Republic of Kazakhstan. AIM: The objective of our study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles in the Republic of Kazakhstan during the rise of the disease. METHODS: Statistical data were obtained from the Committee on Public Health Protection on the incidence of measles in The Republic of Kazakhstan for the period from November 1, 2018 to December 30, 2019. STUDY DESIGN: Epidemiology survey. RESULTS: The article contains epidemiological data on the incidence of measles in the regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan among children, age, and gender characteristics. CONCLUSION: In the period from November 2018 to December 2019, there was a tendency to increase the incidence of measles in the republic. In terms of morbidity, Nur-Sultan was the leader, where the number of cases was 22.9% (n = 3181). The largest number of registered cases, 58.2% (n = 5745), occurred in children aged 1–14 years. Measles remains an unresolved global problem and groups of undervaccinated and unvaccinated populations remain vulnerable during epidemics.

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Measles in Romania – clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized measles cases during the first three years of the 2016-ongoing epidemic

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Optional Vaccines in Children—Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Romanian Parents

Optional Vaccines in Children—Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Romanian Parents

Evolving measles status and immunization policy development in six European countries

Epidemiology Survey of Measles in Kazakhstan

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