The Institute for Public Health of Montenegro (IJZCG) and health centers are continuing the vaccination campaign with all vaccines from the regular immunization calendar, the IJZCG announced.
"Vaccination is carried out on weekdays directly in agreement with the teams of selected doctors for children, and on weekends all children can come, regardless of whether they are invited directly and whether they have a selected doctor," the IJZCG press release points out.
The institution added that the campaign is being organized due to extremely low vaccination coverage with certain vaccines from the immunization calendar.
They also said that on November 26, the presence of the measles virus was confirmed in three people, and that two more cases are suspicious.
"Namely, the current vaccination coverage against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) in Montenegro for children born in 2018 is 84,4%, in 2019 it is 80,3%; for children born in 2020, the coverage is 75,1 %, for those born in 2021, it is 65,6% for those born in 2022, we would like to point out that on November 45,9, 2023, the Institute for Medical Microbiology confirmed the presence of the measles virus in three people. We emphasize that none of the newly infected persons was vaccinated against measles, and that the epidemiologic service of DZ Bar reported a measles epidemic on the territory of this municipality," the announcement reads.
IJZCG said that the total number of registered cases of measles in Montenegro since the beginning of the year is 30.
"The health system continuously appeals to parents who have not yet protected their children, to take advantage of regular and additional vaccination appointments, and to vaccinate children without delay, and not to send unvaccinated children to collectives (preschools, playgrounds, birth centers, sports and recreational facilities, trips, excursions...)", the announcement reads.
The IJZCG states that vaccination is the only effective and reliable measure for the prevention and control of measles.
"Timely vaccination of children, as well as catch-up vaccination for those who are late, is essential. Complete vaccination is achieved by receiving two doses of the vaccine, whereby the first dose should be received as soon as possible after they turn one, and the second dose before starting elementary school. Also, vaccination not only protects vaccinated people, but also helps prevent the spread of the virus in the community, especially among those who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons the personal responsibility of each parent," said the IJCG.
More information is available at: https://www.ijzcg.me/
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