While data shows that many young children in Montenegro have not received the MMR vaccine, almost 800 high school students have not received a single dose of this vaccine, and 1.500 of them have received only one dose.
Experts warn of the consequences of not getting vaccinated, but some citizens still believe in the theory that this vaccine is linked to autism.
Not all parents share the same opinion about the MMR vaccine, as data from the Institute of Public Health shows.
Only 23% of children born in 2023 received their first dose of the MMR vaccine, while as many as 1.200 children who entered the first grade of primary school did not receive any. And among high school students, as many as 1.500 students did not receive a second dose, and 780 of them were not vaccinated with a single dose.
"These are all numbers that are far from the 95 percent we need for collective immunity, so in relation to such low MMR vaccine coverage values, whether it is the first or second dose, there is a real risk of a measles epidemic," said Redžeb Zejnelagić, epidemiologist.
Zejnelagić says that one of the reasons for the decline in MMR vaccination coverage is the belief among some parents that this vaccine can cause autism in children.
The highest vaccination coverage in 2023 was recorded in Andrijevica, Plav and Gusinje, while some larger municipalities, such as Budva and Nikšić, recorded low immunization rates. Also, in Šavnik we have 0% vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella.
"The Institute of Public Health has been continuously implementing certain campaigns and activities related to increasing immunization coverage for several years, not only for the MMR vaccine but also for other vaccines that are on the mandatory immunization calendar. One of these activities is additional appointments on weekends when all those children who do not have their chosen pediatrician and who have not received any of the vaccines can come in without an appointment to receive the missing vaccine," said Zejnelagić.
Zejnelagić urges parents to bring their children for vaccination as soon as possible to prevent future epidemics.
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