European countries lose elimination status
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According to professor of epidemiology Pierre Van Damme (UAntwerp), head of the vaccine research center Vaccinopolis, the situation is serious. “Six European countries have lost their official measles elimination status,” the professor said. That means the disease is once again circulating locally instead of just causing imported cases.
The same signals are also emerging outside Europe. “When you travel to Canada, you are asked whether you have been vaccinated against measles. That was unthinkable until a few years ago.” For experts, this is a clear indication that global protection is crumbling. “We need to take urgent action,” warns Pierre Van Damme in a press notification to our editors.
Why measles is gaining ground again
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known. A drop in vaccination rates, even by a few percentage points, could be enough to undermine herd immunity.
In several countries, experts see that vaccinations in young children are being postponed. When fewer people are protected, the virus has opportunities to spread again. That’s exactly what’s happening now.
According to the experts, disinformation, incorrect information on social media, plays an important role. Scientific progress is undermined when citizens lose confidence in vaccines. That is why vaccinologists advocate not only medical solutions, but also targeted communication and education.
What is measles?
Measles is a viral infectious disease that mainly affects children, but can also make adults seriously ill. The virus spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing and is extremely contagious. Anyone who has not been vaccinated and comes into contact with the virus has a high chance of becoming infected.
Typical symptoms include high fever, cough and cold symptoms, red, watery eyes and a characteristic skin rash. Although measles is often thought of as a childhood illness, the infection can cause serious complications. Vaccination remains the most effective protection.
Why vaccination remains crucial
The measles vaccine has been around for decades and is considered safe and highly effective. In countries with a high vaccination rate, the disease almost completely disappeared. The current advance shows how fragile that progress is.
Experts emphasize that the goal is not just individual protection, but also collective security. Herd immunity protects vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated, such as babies or people with a weakened immune system.
Van Damme emphasizes that a good vaccine alone is not sufficient to fight infectious diseases. “You have to inform citizens, roll out successful vaccination campaigns, combat disinformation.”
date:2026-02-08 16:40:00
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