Low immunisation rate in Romania

31.8.2016

Question for written answer E-006501-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Daniel Buda (PPE)

A recent report by European epidemiologists has found that Romania has the lowest vaccination rate (80%) of the 190 countries studied. This is below the 95% safety threshold recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The Romanian National Centre for the Surveillance and Control of Transmissible Diseases (CNSCBT) reports that more than 35 000 children were not vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella in 2015. Foreign experts warn that this trend is set to continue in the coming years, since vaccination is not compulsory in Romania and shortages in the supply of certain vaccines are becoming increasingly frequent.

A further reason for this low immunisation rate is the fact that many people distrust the vaccines, given that the state lacks the necessary funds to ensure that hospitals can rely on a constant supply.

What instruments does the Commission have at its disposal to solve this problem, bearing in mind that the same situation can also be found in other Member States?

What instruments does the Commission have at its disposal to provide information for European citizens on the necessity and importance of vaccinations, bearing in mind that this is an issue that has global health implications in the case of transmissible diseases?