Warning of scientists for the “non-vaccination movement”

The doctors are sounding the alarm about the fact that many parents are lured by unreliable and questionable research, which circulated on the internet, taking the risk to deprive their children from vaccination, with severe implications for their health and for public health in general.

Many pediatricians discover every day, that parents follow the prompts of online groups, which ask them to stop vaccinating their children, ignoring the necessity.
A research conducted by the National School of Public Health in 2012 entitled "National Study of Vaccination Status of Children" (National School), confirms the increase of parents who question the usefulness and safety of vaccines.

According to the professor of the National School, in the Child Department, Takis Panagiotopoulos, "the one third of parents was cautious. This was a consequence of the great debate about the vaccine for the pandemic influenza of 2009. The rate we recorded in the same survey in 2006 did not exceed 20%. "
Mr. Panagiotopoulos notes that "half of the parents surveyed, said they have insufficient information about the vaccine."

Another important point that emerged from the survey is the sharp decrease in the number of children who have the second dose of MMR vaccine for measles, rubella and mumps. Only 83% vaccinated, while the desired coverage rate reaches 95%.

"The inadequate coverage with two doses of MMR vaccine is a serious issue," is said in the report. The MMR has suffered from the continuing attacks from the "non-vaccination movement", due to - as proved - of fabricated researches, which connected it with the emergence of autism.

The issue of the "non-vaccination movement" occupied the last meeting of the Greek Pediatric Society, in which sought ways to convince the public that vaccination is necessary.

According to the pediatrician and member of the Board of the Greek Pediatric Society, Nikos Myriokefalitakis, "it seems that the problem expands. For this reason we seek ways to deal with it. Unfortunately, some people have demonized vaccines. It should be clear that those who resort to the convenience of non-vaccination, they do it in safe, because they are protected by the immunity of the general population."