In the light of the ongoing measles outbreaks in several European countries (Italy, Romania, Germany etc) and the reporting of several measles cases in Greece both in the general population and in health professionals, the Prolepsis Institute underlines the need for the evidence- based promotion of the recommended vaccines for health professionals.

 

Measles is a highly contagious disease among humans, transmitted through airborne droplets produced during speech, coughing and sneezing. According to recently issued guidance from the Greek National Immunization Committee and the Ministry of Health it is recommended for adults born in Greece after the year 1970 either to confirm their immunity to measles, mumps and rubella or to make sure they have documented 2 doses of  MMR in their immunization record.  

The Prolepsis Institute coordinated an EU co-funded project titled  HProImmune “Promotion of Immunization for Health Professionals in Europe” (2011-2014) in a consortium of 10 organizations from 8 EU member states. That project was based on the experience from the management of the 2009 influenza pandemic and was already since 2014 advising the promotion of 5  specific vaccines, including MMR, for the protection of health care workers.                       

The following educational material regarding the MMR vaccine has been already forwarded to the Ministry of Health to be disseminated to health care workers.

 

The HProImmune was funded by the European Union in the context the Public Health Program 2008 – 2013. Partners from Greece, along with the Prolepsis Institute, included the Hellenic Nurses’ Association (www.esne.gr) and the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP/KEELPNO www.keelpno.gr).