Orange code alert for measles risk in Moldova

Chisinau, 20 August /MOLDPRES/- The National Public Health Commission, convened by Prime Minister Pavel Filip on the complicated epidemiological situation due to measles diseases, has decided to declare the orange code alert at national level, with a likely risk of triggering the public health emergency, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

Filip he was dissatisfied that he had to personally convene meeting of the commission and the situation on the measles enlargement continued to worsen. Thus, 56 confirmed cases and 83 suspected cases of measles are recorded in August.

The official said that the disease would not have expanded to such an extent if vaccination against measles was sufficient. In the last 10 years, the level of vaccination of children has fallen from 95% to 87%, and in some districts this index is even lower. Among the major causes is the irresponsibility of those who are against vaccination of children, whether it’s religious communities or parents and some media outlets.

“We are talking about the irresponsibility of local authorities in the case of the Morenii Noi camp. What were the authorities' actions to prevent the operation of this camp, which has been running for several years with quite serious violations? Irresponsibility was also showed by educational that admit children who are not vaccinated. There is a law in the Republic of Moldova that says very clearly that children who are not vaccinated are not allowed in communities,” he said.

The premier noted that it is about the security of this state, and everyone must answer for actions or inactions.

To stop measles spread and increase the level of vaccination of children, the commission approved an action plan today. Thus, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research will monitor during the new school year, not allowing admission to school and kindergarten of children who are not vaccinated.

On 20-30 August, the vaccine status of each child will be checked.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection jointly with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research and the Ministry of Justice will review the legal framework on obligation to vaccinate and increase the responsibility of parents in case of non-vaccinating children.  

Also, the ministry will monitor the clinical and epidemiological situation on measles morbidity and will boost vaccination of people and assess vaccine coverage in each sector.

Measures to inform the population about the risk of measles and other preventable infections through vaccinations and the importance of vaccination will also be enhanced. The price of a ROR vaccine is 45 lei (offered free of charge by the state), while the cost of a treated measles case varies between 2,000 and 7,000 lei, depending on the complexity.

In August, the epidemiological situation worsened as a result of measles cases detected in children who rested at the camp of a religious confession in Morenii Noi village, Ungheni district. Most children were not vaccinated.