The last week in April is marked as European Immunization Week. The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of this successful proactive activity in health protection, which has stopped epidemics and saved many lives in the past 200 years. Health organizations warn of an alarming drop in vaccination rates, which may lead to new epidemics and threaten public health.
Data from health institutions in the area of the Central Bosnia Canton also show a decreasing trend in the number of vaccinated people, especially among the youngest. Some of the reasons are the coronavirus pandemic, but also the disinterest of parents and the fear of the consequences of vaccination.
In addition to the 10 regular ones in the children’s immunization calendar, the human papillomavirus vaccine is the best preventive measure against several types of cancer. And how much it is needed is also shown by the data of the Cantonal Institute for Public Health that the number of people suffering from cancer in the area of this canton has tripled in the last 15 years. Although these vaccines are only expected in the Central Bosnia Canton next year, education about their importance is of great importance.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a significant drop in regular vaccination of children. The lowest coverage is with the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) which fell to 52%, and the target for collective immunity is 95% of vaccinated children.
Among the reasons for the decline in immunization is the anti-vaccine lobby, which has led to the growing fear of parents about the side effects of vaccines, according to the Travnikhealth center, where they also note similar trends.
Missed doses threaten the return of infectious diseases, this health institution warns, hoping for vaccines against pneumococcal and meningococcal. They warn of already recorded cases of rotavirus in children.
