A round table discussion on the importance of vaccination took place on Wednesday at the Ljubljana Castle to mark the European Immunisation Week, 21 - 27 April.
Apart from the Slovenian first lady Barbara Miklic Tuerk, who opened the meeting, the Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, honorary sponsor of the regional WHO office in Europe, took part in the discussion.
The discussion was also attended by the WHO Regional Director for Europe Marc Danzon and his advisor Nedret Emiroglu as well as the head of the Public Health Directorate at the Health Ministry, Marija Seljak and the head of the Centre for Infectious Diseases, Alenka Kraigher.
Emiroglu stressed in her address that one of the main objectives of the week was to raise awareness of people regarding vaccination. This year 33 countries are to mark the week and the main event is to take place in Slovenia.
Seljak said she was pleased vaccination was free in Slovenia and that it covered over 90% of the target population. Kraigher stressed vaccination was by far the best weapon against contagious diseases and added that vaccinating the majority also protected those, who did not undergo vaccination.
It was expected that polio could soon be eradicated, according to Danzon, similarly to what happened to smallpox in 1980. Emiroglu warned that under-vaccination could lead to outbreaks, as was the case in Switzerland recently.
The round table also touched on the disadvantages and concerns regarding vaccination. Slovenian Centre for Infectious Diseases therefore established a commission that evaluates the unwanted effects of vaccination.
Danzon said he was not happy with the wrong perception that vaccination was dangerous. Seljak agreed that vaccination was a safe measure, whose benefits are by far greater than the possible risks.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark said in her address that although she was no expert in the field, she was a strong supporter of vaccination and agreed that no other health measure, with the exception of drinking water, was ever as successful as vaccination.
More articles from this issue:
Archive
|