Study: Vaccination rates declining for essential vaccines

Vaccination rates are declining for two essential vaccines - the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine, with identified causes including misinformation on social media, the elimination of school vaccinations and isolation in rural areas, according to the study 'Barriers to Vaccination in Rural Areas: Perspectives of Family Doctors and Community Nurses,' launched by the Save the Children Romania organisation on Thursday.
Thus, the analysis of vaccination coverage data for the period 2020-2024 highlights a worrying downward trend for two of the mandatory vaccines: the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and the conjugated pneumococcal vaccine.
'More and more parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children, which has led to a progressive decrease in vaccination coverage rates for MMR, especially for the second dose administered at age 5. While acceptance for the first dose is relatively good, the rate drops dramatically for the booster shot, reaching as low as 20% in some communities, whereas Romania has recorded 77.8% of all measles cases in the EU,' the study points out.
The study uses a qualitative approach, analysing the perspectives of community nurses and family doctors who oversee over 11,000 children in rural areas. The sample is convenience-based and comes from rural areas in nine counties (Arges, Bihor, Brasov, Constanta, Dolj, Hunedoara, Olt, Sibiu and Timis).
'Particularly concerning is the disproportionate impact on children under one year of age, with three of the measles-related deaths recorded among children aged between 7 and 8 months, who were not yet eligible for vaccination,' the study also mentions.
The document identified four main types of barriers to vaccination from the perspective of family doctors and community nurses:
- Attitudinal and behavioral barriers include post-COVID-19 reluctance, outright refusal in some communities, and fear of adverse reactions;
- Socio-cultural barriers are represented by cultural, linguistic and religious aspects, as well as the high mobility of families;
- Informational barriers include the negative impact of the media, misinformation on social media, and myths about vaccination, which are major obstacles.
Additionally, there are systemic barriers, such as excessive bureaucracy, lack of material resources, the elimination of school vaccinations and lack of transportation.
The analysis of the interviews shows that the relationship between family doctors and parents is complex and varies significantly. Many doctors report avoidance behaviours from parents, who consistently postpone vaccinations and refuse to formally acknowledge their decision in writing.
In addition, in their interactions with parents, doctors notice that the fear of adverse reactions and the lack of perception regarding the seriousness of vaccine-preventable diseases represent significant obstacles in convincing parents to vaccinate their children.
To increase vaccination rates, doctors identify multiple and interconnected needs. At the national level, they call for stricter legislation regarding vaccination and more intensive media campaigns for information and education. At the local and operational level, the main needs include: expanding the community healthcare network, reducing bureaucracy in vaccination reporting, ensuring transportation for patients to clinics, and better involvement of minority representatives. A frequently mentioned specific need is the reintroduction of school vaccinations, which in the past ensured better vaccination coverage rates. Doctors also emphasise the importance of developing their own communication skills through participation in specialised courses.
Executive President of Save the Children Romania Gabriela Alexandrescu underscores the importance of integrated social policies that ensure access to education and healthcare services for children and parents.
'When we talk about vulnerable socio-economic groups, we must develop programmes through which they can benefit from easy access to vaccination,' Alexandrescu is quoted in a press release as saying.
The study was conducted by the Public Health Department of Babes-Bolyai University, as part of the 'Mother and Child Health' programme, implemented by Save the Children Romania, and was funded by MSD Romania. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Roberto Stan; En - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)
The content of the www.agerpres.ro website has the exclusive purpose of public informing.
All the information published on this website by AGERPRES is protected by relevant legal dispositions.
It is forbidden to copy, reproduce, recompile, decompile, distribute, publish, display, modify, create derived components or products or full services, as well as any exploitation of the site's content.
Details in the section Terms of Use. If you are interested in picking up AGERPRES news items, please contact the Marketing Department – marketing@agerpres.ro.
The use of the Comments section entails your obligation to respect the AGERPRES terms and conditions in regards to the publishing of comments on the www.agerpres.ro.
Other news in category
Three Romania-made military drones unveiled at SEESOF 2025
Cuda, Sirin and a marine drone are three types of Romanian military UAVs which are set to enter production this year at CARFIL Brasov, a subsidiary of the National Company ROMARM. They were unveiled at the Southeast Europe Special Operations Forces Forum 2025 (SEESOF) in Targu Mures - the first international expo-forum dedicated to the special operations forces.
French Ambassador: We witnessed a systematic disinformation campaign; France upset Moscow
The French Ambassador in Bucharest, Nicolas Warnery, stated, on Thursday, during a press conference, that there was 'a systematic disinformation campaign' regarding his country during the presidential elections in Romania. 'Basically, we have witnessed a systematic disinformation campaign, sometimes with malicious interpretations, with mistakes, wi
Six civil society organizations send Presidency appeal for Romania's digital transformation
Six civil society organizations sent, on Thursday, to the Presidential Administration an 'appeal for the digital transformation of Romania' and showed their willingness to actively contribute, with all the expertise of the teams, to the transposition of strategic objectives into reality and to rebuilding the trust of Romanians in the state. The signato
Romanians spend 59 million euros in cinemas in 2024
Romanians spent 59 million euros in cinemas last year, a 5% decrease compared to 2023, despite a 10% ticket price increase in 2024 and a 14% drop in audience numbers, according to data from the National Center for Cinematography, analyzed by real estate consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. In 2024, Romanian cinemas recorded 11.2 million viewers, d
President Nicusor Dan: All the parties engaged in discussions want to be part of the government
President Nicusor Dan on Thursday said that all political parties currently engaged in discussions - the Social Deocratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Save Romania Union (USR) and the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) - want to join the government. 'I am very pleased that all the parties engaged in discussions want to be pa
Oradea Fortress to host 'Festa Italiana' to celebrate Italy's National Day
The Association for the Promotion of Tourism in Oradea and Region (APTOR - Visit Oradea) announces a three-day celebration in honour of Italy's National Day, held for the first time under the name 'Festa Italiana,' taking place in Oradea Fortress June 6 to 8. 'This celebration brings the authentic charm of Italy to the heart of Oradea. Visitors
Pentecost Mackerel Festival to kick off on Friday
The Fishermen's Village on the outskirts of the city of Tulcea will host the Scrumbii de Rusalii (Pentecost Mackerel) Festival, starting Friday, organised by the Tulcea City Hall, with the first scheduled activities being dedicated to children and aimed at raising awareness on the importance of environmental protection. Festival coordinator Bogdan Moldovea
Tennis: Anca Todoni qualifies for the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 tournament in Bari
Romanian tennis player Anca Todoni qualified for the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 tournament in Bari, which offers total prizes of 100,000 euros, on Wednesday, after defeating Czech Dominika Salkova, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4). Todoni (20 years old, WTA's 88th) needed more than two hours of playing (2 h 04 min) to achieve this victory. Todoni won a cheq
World Exposition Secretary General Ishige Hiroyuki visits Romania's Expo 2025 Osaka Pavilion
Romania's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka received the official visit of Mr. Ishige Hiroyuki, Secretary General of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Expo, who was welcomed by Ferdinand Nagy, Commissioner General of the Romanian Pavilion, who gave him a complete tour of the 'Romania, Land of Tomorrow' exhibition universe, Romania's Foreign Ministry said in
EU wants to tackle global deforestation but meets resistance at home (enr)
As forests around the globe vanish at alarming rates, the EU is promoting tough new rules to curb deforestation and products linked to it. But political pressure is mounting at home to water them down, with heavy bureaucracy a primary concern. The world's forests are under threat: hundreds of millions of hectares of forest have been cleared in recent decad
Deputy Chief of Defense: SEESOF 2025 - the hallmark of Romanain Special Operations Forces' maturity
Romania's Deputy Chief of Defense, Lt. General Dragos-Dumitru Iacob, attending on Wednesday the opening of the Southeast Europe Special Operations Forces Forum 2025 (SEESOF) in Targu Mures, declared that the organization of this first edition of the event confirms that Romania's Special Operations Forces have reached maturity, as a community of interests has built th
UPDATE President Dan: We are aware that Romania is running an unsustainable deficit
President Nicusor Dan said on Wednesday that 'Romania has a deficit that is not sustainable' and guaranteed seriousness for Romanians and the financial environment. 'What I want to convey to Romanians and especially to the financial environment is that we are serious. That is, we are aware of the fact that Romania has a deficit that is not sustaina
President Nicusor Dan: The King of Spain to pay visit to Romania on June 10
The King of Spain, Felipe VI, will be paying a visit to Romania on June 10, President Nicusor Dan announced on Wednesday. Also on June 10, the head of state will pay an official visit to Chisinau. 'During the month of June we will have - June 10: a visit from the King of Spain, and also on June 10 - our visit to Chisinau. Immediately after t
President Nicusor Dan: We want to have a first draft of the governing programme on Monday
President Nicusor Dan said that he hoped a first draft of the future governing programme would be ready on Monday. 'We want to have a first draft of the governing programme on Monday. (...) We haven't discussed any names (for prime minister - editor's note) so far. All discussions have been focused on the programme,' the head of state said on W
Targu Mures hosting Romania's first event dedicated exclusively to special operations forces
Southeast Europe Special Operations Forces Forum 2025 (SEESOF), the first international exhibition and forum dedicated to special operations forces, kicks off today in Targu Mures, with over 3,000 participants from over 20 countries expected in attendance. SEESOF 2025 is organised by TNT Productions Romania, the Special Operations Forces Command and the George