TIRANA, April 30 /ATA/ At the conclusion of World Immunization Week, healthcare professionals in the country are calling for vaccination across all age groups in society as the only way to protect oneself and others.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Thursday shared messages from physicians Silva Bino and Najada Çomo as part of World Immunization Week, reiterating that vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective ways to strengthen immunity and protect oneself and others at every stage of life.

The head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Institute of Public Health, Silva Bino, stated that vaccines in Albania are safe and undergo a rigorous process of safety and efficacy evaluation.

“This is a highly important process, which begins with the selection of the type of vaccine to be included in the immunization schedule and continues with the assessment of data on its efficacy and safety. The effectiveness of a vaccine depends on the type of virus and may vary. Some vaccines provide full protection against the disease,” Bino said. She further added that another key criterion is vaccine acceptance by parents, their level of awareness, as well as acceptance by professional associations in Albania and worldwide.

“It is very important for a vaccine to be both safe and effective, but also for its importance to be recognized by both doctors and parents,” Bino said.

Meanwhile, Najada Çomo, head of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Tirana, emphasized that “the majority of infectious diseases can be prevented.”

“The most important form of prevention, in addition to protective measures, is the vaccination process. Not all infectious diseases can be prevented through vaccination; however, during this Immunization Week, we are reminded that diseases such as measles, meningitis, chickenpox, influenza, and many others can be prevented through vaccination,” she said.

Çomo reiterated the appeal for citizens to get vaccinated, which begins at birth and continues throughout life.

“For those diseases that are preventable and do not pose risks to the mother or the child, it is advised to get vaccinated without delay,” Çomo concluded.

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