This year, 22 cases of measles have already been registered in Lithuania, which is almost seven times more than last year, according to the country’s National Public Health Centre (NVSC).
In 70 percent of all cases, infected people were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. In 40 percent of these cases, hospital treatment was necessary.
“The only preventive measure that protects everyone and society from measles is vaccination, which has been given to children worldwide for more than 60 years,” said Edita Jegelevičienė, a chief specialist at the NVSC Infectious Disease Management Division.
“Unfortunately, an insufficient number of children has been vaccinated in Lithuania in recent years, as it is below 90 percent,” she added.
Specialists say 95 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated to prevent measles outbreaks not only among children but also among adults.
In Lithuania, the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is given free of charge to children at 15–16 months, and the second dose is given at 6–7 years of age, according to the preventive vaccination calendar for children.
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