IMMUNIZATION OF CHILDREN USING VACCINE AGAINST MORBILE, MUMPS AND RUBELLA, IN TUZLA CANTON: FIVE YEARS REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Vaccines are biological preparations that allow the formation of anti-bodies in the human body, while preparing the immune system to fight infection. The goal of vaccination is to produce enough antibodies to provide long-term protection against the disease. Currently, there is a growing trend in the world of non-vaccination of children, and therefore a drop in coverage below the expected 95%. This trend is mostly related to the vaccine against measles,mumps and rubella  (MMR). The decline is noticeable throughout BiH, as well as in the countries of the region and the European Union. Method: The main objective of the study is to determine the percentage coverage of the target group with two doses of MMR vaccine per year and municipalities in the Tuzla Canton (TC). The survey is retrospective in nature and covers the period from 01.01.2013. until 31.12.2017. The target group is children from 5 to 6 years of age.

Results: The overall coverage rate of the target group with two doses of MMR vaccine in the TC area by years is 82.0% (2013), 83.7% (2014), 78.8% (2015), 73.0% (2016) and 67.2% (2017). So, from the coverage of 82.0% achieved in 2013, the rate is constantly declining and reaching the value of 67.2% in 2017, which is 14.8% lower. Research shows that the coverage of MMR vaccine in the area of TC is not satisfactory, and the most critical municipalities are Lukavac, Banovici, Sapna, Tuzla, Gracanica and Kalesija.

Conclusion: The key strategic directions for prevention are maintaining a high coverage rate (≥ 95%) with two doses of MMR vaccine, then creating conditions for vaccination in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated population groups, and strengthening surveillance systems and increasing the availability of information for to the general public on the benefits of MMR immunization. The decline in the quality of the population's collective immunity against certain infectious diseases greatly threatens the recurrence of sporadic or epidemic outbreaks.