TIRANA, Oct 24 /ATA/ Albania is ahead of the curve with 98% polio vaccination coverage, demonstrating the effectiveness of healthcare services, strong parent-doctor collaboration, and trust in science.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection shared on social media the appeal of Prof. Dr. Raida Petrela, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, who stressed that following the recommended vaccination schedule provides the safest protection for every child.
“Polio is a severe viral disease caused by viruses from the enterovirus group, which can cause sudden paralysis in children. If all four limbs are affected, it can lead to tetraplegia and potentially irreversible lifelong effects,” Petrela highlighted.
She further stressed that vaccination is crucial, not just against polio, but for the prevention of all other infectious diseases.
“The last polio epidemic in Albania occurred in 1996, with confirmed cases, and since then no cases have been reported. Since 2002, Albania has been recognized as a polio-free country, along with other European nations. This achievement is thanks to a highly effective vaccination system and the protection provided by the Public Health Institute through our vaccination schedule, which, I must say, is excellent,” Petrela emphasized.
Polio vaccination in the schedule consists of five doses: three doses administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by booster doses at 2 years and 6 years.
“Albania has excellent vaccination coverage, with 98% of children vaccinated in their first year of life. Diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella have long been eradicated thanks to this program, and no cases have been reported. This achievement is a result of our strong vaccination system. There is a clear distinction between natural diseases and those that can be prevented through vaccination,” Petrela highlighted.
She stated, “We no longer have cases, not even of measles. Sporadic cases can occur in unvaccinated communities, but in general, epidemics have been eradicated thanks to the effectiveness of vaccination schedule.”
World Polio Day was established a decade ago to commemorate the birthday of Jonas Salk, the leader of the team that developed the polio vaccine. The development of this vaccine and the global distribution of the oral polio vaccine created by Albert Sabin led to the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
/k.s/j.p/sm/
