Doctors are reporting a consistent decline in vaccination rates among both children and adults.
Delayed vaccinations and waning confidence in immunization are increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, experts warn. Data indicates a growing number of children are receiving vaccines later than recommended, even if they eventually complete the schedule, which compromises effective disease control. While vaccination coverage improves after one year of age, levels remain below the threshold needed to prevent epidemics. Simultaneously, healthcare professionals are observing a steady decrease in vaccination rates across all age groups.
Reporter: The President of the Romanian Society of Microbiology, Professor Doctor Adriana Pistol, emphasizes that a significant issue is the lack of accurate information, even among medical professionals.
Adriana Pistol: “we need to improve how parents are informed regarding the necessity of vaccinating their children with the vaccines they have been receiving for decades. And when it comes to adults, we must acknowledge that we only recently, in the last two or three years, have begun to publicly discuss the need for adults to receive certain booster shots, and especially the need for adults with certain chronic illnesses to protect themselves against infections that can lead to severe illness, given their chronic condition.”
Vaccinologists stress that administering vaccines late offers individual protection but no longer effectively prevents the spread of disease within the community, thereby increasing the risk of outbreaks and epidemics. This trend poses a challenge to public health efforts aimed at maintaining community immunity and preventing the resurgence of preventable diseases.
