Child Vaccination Rates on the Decline in European Union Countries
According to a recent study published in a scientific journal, child vaccination rates in many European Union countries have stagnated and recorded declines during and after the pandemic period.
A comprehensive study conducted in European Union countries has revealed that routine vaccination rates in children have significantly stagnated or declined in recent years. Experts state that this situation could pose a threat to public health.
Scope of the Research and Data
A research team led by Luigi Russo from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome analyzed changes in childhood immunization programs by examining data from the World Health Organization and UNICEF between 1980 and 2024.
Pandemic Period and Causes of Decline
The decline in vaccination rates in many European Union countries began between 2019 and 2022, during and after the coronavirus pandemic. The spread of misinformation and changes in trust toward vaccines are cited among the primary reasons for this decline.
Vaccine Distribution by Country
In 16 out of 27 European Union countries, declines were observed in at least four of the seven immunization indicators examined. While rates declined in five out of seven vaccines in Germany and Spain, declines were recorded in all examined vaccines in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden.
Most Affected Vaccine Types
According to the analyses, the most widespread declines occurred in Haemophilus influenzae type b and polio vaccines, with both showing decreases in 20 countries. Declines were also detected in hepatitis B, DTP-3, pneumococcal, and rubella vaccines across numerous countries.
Critical Thresholds and Risks
Luxembourg and Portugal were the only countries to reach the 95 percent target across all seven immunization indicators, while it was reported that all rates in Romania remained below 80 percent. It is emphasized that falling below the targeted rate could lead to the resurgence of preventable diseases.