In 2020, Romania had the highest rate of measles in Europe with over 50 cases per million population (pmp). This was followed by Bulgaria with approximately 35 cases pmp and Russia where there were 7.54 cases pmp.
Vaccine skepticism in Europe
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the spread of diseases can be controlled and eventually eradicated if over 95 percent of the population is immunized. Although the uptake of vaccinations among in Europe has been hindered by a rise in vaccine skepticism. In 2018, of 41 European countries surveyed, only four countries (Iceland, Norway, Albania and Portugal) had more than a 95 percent share of individuals who believed that vaccines are important for children to have.
Link between cases and low vaccination rate
The high number of cases in some countries could be linked to vaccination rates. Ukraine, North Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina have some of the lowest prevalence of children vaccinated against measles in Europe. Less than 70 percent of children in Bosnia-Herzegovina have been vaccinated, while in Ukraine 86 percent have been vaccinated. In a 2018 survey, only 29 percent of individuals in Ukraine and 54 percent in North Macedonia believed that vaccines were safe.
Countries in Europe with the highest incidence of measles cases in 2020
(per million population)
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WHO. (February 3, 2021). Countries in Europe with the highest incidence of measles cases in 2020 (per million population) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/960938/incidence-of-measles-in-europe/
WHO. "Countries in Europe with the highest incidence of measles cases in 2020 (per million population)." Chart. February 3, 2021. Statista. Accessed July 27, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/960938/incidence-of-measles-in-europe/
WHO. (2021). Countries in Europe with the highest incidence of measles cases in 2020 (per million population). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 27, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/960938/incidence-of-measles-in-europe/
WHO. "Countries in Europe with The Highest Incidence of Measles Cases in 2020 (per Million Population)." Statista, Statista Inc., 3 Feb 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/960938/incidence-of-measles-in-europe/
WHO, Countries in Europe with the highest incidence of measles cases in 2020 (per million population) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/960938/incidence-of-measles-in-europe/ (last visited July 27, 2024)
Countries in Europe with the highest incidence of measles cases in 2020 (per million population) [Graph], WHO, February 3, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/960938/incidence-of-measles-in-europe/