Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Measles_are_still_a_sore_spot_for_the_Swiss.html?cid=8736280
Apr 24, 2010 - 10:05
Measles are still a sore spot for the Swiss
Switzerland has one of the lowest measles immunisation rates in Europe, a health official says ? far below the 95 per cent coverage needed to eliminate the disease.
As the country takes part in European Immunisation Week, Virginie Masserey, head of the vaccination section at the Federal Health Office, tells swissinfo.ch there are still many misconceptions about the measles jab.
A World Health Organization (WHO) initiative that starts on Saturday is highlighting the importance of immunisation against measles, which is highly infectious.
Switzerland suffered a three-year measles epidemic which finished in summer last year, in which there were more than 4,400 cases, with 339 hospitalisations and one death.
This was largely attributed to low vaccination rates. Currently 71 per cent of children aged two have received the recommended two doses of the jab and 87 per cent have had one dose. The WHO Europe region average for one dose is 94 per cent.
The WHO says 95 per cent coverage of two doses of the vaccine is needed to stamp out measles. It had set a goal of eliminating the disease in Europe by the end of 2010.
swissinfo.ch: What will the Federal Health Office be doing during immunisation week?...
Apr 24, 2010 - 10:05
Measles are still a sore spot for the Swiss
Switzerland has one of the lowest measles immunisation rates in Europe, a health official says ? far below the 95 per cent coverage needed to eliminate the disease.
As the country takes part in European Immunisation Week, Virginie Masserey, head of the vaccination section at the Federal Health Office, tells swissinfo.ch there are still many misconceptions about the measles jab.
A World Health Organization (WHO) initiative that starts on Saturday is highlighting the importance of immunisation against measles, which is highly infectious.
Switzerland suffered a three-year measles epidemic which finished in summer last year, in which there were more than 4,400 cases, with 339 hospitalisations and one death.
This was largely attributed to low vaccination rates. Currently 71 per cent of children aged two have received the recommended two doses of the jab and 87 per cent have had one dose. The WHO Europe region average for one dose is 94 per cent.
The WHO says 95 per cent coverage of two doses of the vaccine is needed to stamp out measles. It had set a goal of eliminating the disease in Europe by the end of 2010.
swissinfo.ch: What will the Federal Health Office be doing during immunisation week?...