Positive Impact of Vaccinal Status Among Notified Measles Cases in Romania in 2020-2024.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Measles is a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease with significant morbidity in the European region, including Romania, especially in the post-COVID-19 era with low vaccination rates which no longer provide herd immunity. The current study aims to show how vaccination reduces the disease burden.

METHODS

A study using 29,148 cases with measles-compatible features in Romania from the 2020-2024 period was performed, analyzing symptoms, complications, and hospitalization rates comparatively between vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups.

RESULTS

Our findings show substantial hospitalization rates reduction among vaccinated cases with an over 12% decrease-depending on the number of MMR doses-as well as reduced severity of clinical features, but no significant effect on disease duration.

CONCLUSIONS

MMR vaccination provides protection beyond primary disease prevention, as it reduces the disease burden among measles cases by reducing disease-related hospitalizations and improving clinical outcomes.