European Immunization Week: WHO recommends measles vaccination for children

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To mark European Immunisation Week, the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is keen this year to focus on the importance of measles vaccination.

It is vital to remember that this is a painful disease which can, in the most serious cases, be life-threatening. One in six patients develop complications, the most severe of which are pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). These can lead to serious neurological damage or even death.

It is also an extremely contagious disease: one infected person can pass it on to between 15 and 20 people.

Young, unvaccinated children are most at risk of exposure to measles and potentially fatal complications. Unvaccinated pregnant women are also at risk. Anyone who has not developed immunity (who has never been vaccinated and never contracted the disease) is susceptible to infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is aiming to eliminate measles in Europe. To eradicate the disease requires vaccination of at least 95% of the population aged two years and over with two doses of vaccine.

In any case, the measles vaccine is 97% effective. It is combined with vaccines against two other diseases that are important to prevent: rubella and mumps (the MMR vaccine).

Consider asking your doctor to check your child’s health record or your vaccination record and update it in line with the current vaccination schedule (children should receive their first vaccination at 12 months and the second between 16 and 18 months).

Remember that the cost of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is fully covered by health insurance if specifically indicated on the prescription by the prescribing doctor and provided that the child is aged under 17 years.

Vaccinations can be given by your doctor.

Your doctor can also advise on the procedures for vaccination or for catching up on missed vaccinations, and discuss other recommended vaccinations with you.