Romania faces Europe's largest measles outbreak due to vaccination issues

Romania is facing a serious measles outbreak, marking the largest in Europe. This crisis has grown due to anti-vaccine sentiments, a struggling healthcare system, and mixed health messages. In 2019, Dr. Claudia Cojocaru became affected by measles while working at a hospital. Her experience spurred her to advocate for vaccinations in a country dealing with significant health misinformation. As of 2023, only 62 percent of Romanians are fully vaccinated against measles. Health experts say a vaccination rate of 95 percent is needed to protect vulnerable groups, including babies and those with weak immune systems. Last year, Romania reported about 31,000 measles cases, with 22 fatalities, highlighting the serious consequences of low vaccination rates. Other European countries, such as Italy and France, also saw cases of measles over the past year. Health officials warn that Romania’s outbreak may signal problems for the rest of Europe if proactive measures are not taken. The World Health Organization described 2024 as a particularly bad year for measles in Europe. The decline in vaccination rates in Romania began in the 2010s. Factors such as increased vaccine hesitancy, logistical issues, and a shortage of healthcare workers contributed to the slide. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation, as misinformation led to a rise in distrust towards public health measures. Vaccine misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiments are not only faced by the public but also by healthcare professionals. Romania's healthcare system is underfunded and suffers from a history of corruption. This has led to a general mistrust of doctors and public health recommendations. Despite vaccines being free and recommended, they are not mandatory. Mixed messages from health workers about vaccines continue to confuse patients. Dr. Cojocaru emphasizes explaining the safety of vaccines to parents while keeping the lines of communication open for their concerns. Socioeconomic factors contribute to the vulnerability of certain groups during this outbreak. Those without health insurance, those living in poverty, and the Roma community faced increased risks. Health experts warn that without significant efforts to improve vaccination confidence, Romania's issues may emerge in other European nations. Only four EU countries currently meet the 95 percent vaccination threshold. A global health campaign was launched in 2023 to address the decline in routine child immunizations following the pandemic. Experts stress the need for clear public health messaging to restore trust in vaccines and prevent further outbreaks.