Measles outbreaks: they are preventable but keep progressing dangerously

Introduction: During last year's, Ukraine and other European countries are facing outbreaks of well-known and emergency infections. Particularly alarming is the increase in the incidence of measles, which may be the result of a sharp decline of immunization that leads to the accumulation of susceptible individuals in the population. The aim was to assess the incidence of measles and the vaccination coverage for measles during last 5 years among children of Sumy region of Ukraine and factors due to which it is unable to be reached the required level of MMR-vaccination..

Review: Statistical data shown the vaccination coverage rates was dangerously low in Sumy region of Ukraine last 5 years. It began to decrease starting from 2013 year. measles vaccination coverage in 2013 was below 50%, reaching a staggering minimum of ~ 30 % in 2014 and 20 % in 2015. According to our research (questioning), the targeted vaccination coverage for measles was unable to be reached due to several factors, such as the active refusal of parents to vaccinate their children or partly the lack of sufficient vaccine supplies.

Conclusions: MMR-vaccination uptake in Sumy Region is still below World Health Organization target. In the period 2014-2016, the level of children immunization was critically low and the concept of herd immunity was lost. This is the main reason for the ongoing measles outbreak in 2018. It is of the utmost importance that all medical professionals, physicians, researchers, educators, and governments of Ukraine unite to combat the anti-vaccination movement.