Miory Regional Executive Committee

Through the implementation of immunization programs in the Vitebsk Region, epidemiological well-being has been achieved. For many years now, there have been no cases of diphtheria, polio, tetanus, whooping cough, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, rubella, or mumps. This was discussed at a press conference during Immunization Week, which is held annually in countries of the European Region at the initiative of the World Health Organization.

– The week included many events aimed at informing the adult population about the necessity of immunization and was highly productive, – noted Vladimir Sinkkevich, Chief Physician of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health. – We explain to people how important vaccination of each person is for creating herd immunity, the crucial role of which was proven by COVID-19. In addition, in most cases, the disease progressed much more easily among vaccinated individuals.

Vaccination of young Belarusians begins in maternity hospitals, where infants receive their first vaccinations against hepatitis B and tuberculosis, and continues in accordance with the National Vaccination Calendar, which provides protection against 12 infectious diseases. These include viral hepatitis B, tuberculosis, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, haemophilus infection, polio, pneumococcal infection, measles, mumps, rubella, and influenza.

Parents are also actively interested in additional vaccinations, – reported Irina Gribovskaya, pediatrician and head of the immunoprophylaxis office at the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Children’s Polyclinic. – A child can be vaccinated on a paid basis against rotavirus, meningococcal infection, hepatitis A, and tick-borne encephalitis. We also offer vaccination against the human papillomavirus as a preventive measure against oncological diseases in girls and boys from the age of nine.

In recent 20 to 30 years, chronic diseases are no longer regarded as contraindications, but rather as indications for vaccination, Irina Gribovskaya emphasized.

Participants of the press conference noted that systematic work on booster vaccination for children and adults continues in the region, which is necessary to counter viral pathogens. As of today, more than 73% of residents of the northern region are fully vaccinated, which means that the population has developed collective immunity to viruses. The first booster vaccination is administered six months after completing the full course of coronavirus vaccination, and subsequent ones – after another six months. More than 91% of residents vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the first booster dose, and about 59% have received the second.

Healthcare workers reported several cases of measles identified in the region since the beginning of the year, including imported ones. Nevertheless, the situation regarding this disease in the region remains stable and under control.

An infected person becomes a source of infection for those around them, therefore, upon the appearance of the first symptoms – high fever, runny nose, eye redness, cough – one should immediately seek medical attention, Vladimir Sinkkevich explained.

Young Belarusian children receive the measles vaccine at the age of 12 months and 6 years as part of the National Preventive Vaccination Calendar on a free-of-charge basis.

Healthcare workers also drew attention to the fact that there are parents who refuse to vaccinate their children, thereby creating a health risk not only for their own child but also for those around them.

As noted by Nina Mukvich, Acting Deputy Chief Physician of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, since vaccinoprophylaxis provides protection against complications that various diseases may cause, it serves as a guarantee of longevity.

Thanks to vaccinoprophylaxis, humanity has achieved significant success in the fight against severe infectious diseases. Smallpox has been eradicated worldwide, paralytic poliomyelitis cases continue to be recorded in only three countries, and the number of cases of other infections has been significantly reduced.

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by