Vaccination drive intensified after five confirmed measles cases

Authorities have stepped up vaccination efforts after five confirmed measles cases in the country, with doctors urging parents who missed routine doses to bring their children for immunisation. Vaccination points report a noticeable rise in interest.

Organised calls and school SMS campaigns

Dr. Sonja Raleva of Health Center Skopje said that parents are responding and that clinics are arranging appointments directly: vaccination at preschool dispensaries is by invitation and phone call, while school dispensaries notify schools by SMS and organise group visits with parents. "Parents are showing interest to bring [their children], most likely because of the danger that is probable and follows. Vaccination at the preschool dispensary is by invitation, phone notification, and at the school dispensary it is via SMS to schools where they come organized with parents. That vaccination has been intensified and the turnout is noticeable," she said.

The Institute for Public Health warns that coverage with the MMR vaccine remains insufficient. Because of the new cases at home and an unfavourable epidemiological situation in parts of neighbouring countries, the institute appeals to everyone who has not received the vaccine to make up the missed dose.

Dr. Raleva noted differences in local coverage levels: "The lowest coverage is in the central municipalities, such as Centar, Karposh and Aerodrom, while other municipalities have a higher vaccination percentage," she said, highlighting areas where outreach may need to increase.

Interest has also risen in the HPV vaccine. North Macedonia is among the countries that expanded HPV immunisation to include both girls and boys.

"For the past one and a half years it has been given to both male and female children and it is nine-valent from a reputable pharmaceutical manufacturer and we have interest for them to come and receive it; some parents who have gone through their own emotional crisis related to a certain illness, and believe me every family has at least one such story, come and request the vaccine themselves," Dr. Raleva said.

The HPV vaccine is part of the national immunisation calendar and is free for girls and boys. It is administered before exposure to the virus, typically in early adolescence, and aims to prevent infections with HPV types that can cause cervical cancer and other malignant diseases.

Photo: press material from the event