Risk of measles epidemic

Question for written answer  E-000636/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Tudor Ciuhodaru (S&D)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been drawing attention to the danger of a measles epidemic in 2021, due to a fall in the number of children vaccinated being against the disease during the 2020 COVID lockdowns. WHO experts are particularly concerned at possible complications arising from this potentially fatal disease, pointing out that it is claiming thousands of lives every year, despite the fact that an effective vaccine has long been in existence.

They add that, at the end of October 2020, some 94 million children in 26 countries had not received their prescribed measles inoculation because of delays. This is particularly the case for children from poor or isolated communities deprived of access to healthcare services.

What strategy is being followed by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States to prevent such an outbreak and what short and medium-term solutions can be found to contain the spread of measles? What is being done to monitor the number of cases arising in Europe and the countermeasures being taken?