The Minister of Health drew attention, in an interview to Digi24, to the worrying decrease in vaccination among children and the impact of medical misinformation. Alexandru Rogobete emphasized that, although he does not support mandatory vaccination, he considers it essential that parents make decisions based on correct information.
The data published on the website of the Ministry of Health show that in counties such as Hunedoara, Neamț, Arad and Satu Mare, the vaccination rate of children has decreased significantly. Rogobete described the situation as “alarming”.
“We raised the alarm since last summer, when we saw the figures for the first semester and realized that the trend is downward,” said the minister.
Alexandru Rogobete added:
“This is why we have launched an information campaign on prevention, in which vaccination occupies an important place.”
Medical misinformation, a major factor
Alexandru Rogobete criticized the increasingly widespread phenomenon of pseudo-events and anti-vaccine messages propagated online.
“I saw those pseudo-conferences in Brașov, where it was said that medicine is made with water, air and energy. Disinformation can only be combated by complete, correct and constant information”, said the minister.
The official pointed out that “the vaccines we are talking about have been used for 30-40 years and have saved millions of lives.”
The minister also raised the issue of moral responsibility in the case of unvaccinated children who die from preventable diseases, such as measles.
Social media, fertile ground for manipulation
The minister drew attention to videos and messages spread by people without medical training, including politicians, discouraging vaccination:
“There are all kinds of videos on social media of pseudo-politicians giving their opinions on vaccination. People have a right to choose whether to vaccinate or not. But they have to make an informed choice. That’s our responsibility“
Possible sanctions for medical professionals who spread misinformation
Asked about the responsibility of doctors who post anti-vaccination messages, Rogobete stated that there is already a legislative initiative in this regard in Parliament, proposed by the Health Commission.
“I welcome this initiative. It is not normal for people with medical training to urge the public not to vaccinate their children.“
Referring to the discussions about the decrease in vaccination in the United States, the minister explained that there the debate concerns other types of vaccines, many of which are not included in the national scheme in Romania.
Rogobete reiterated that he does not support mandatory vaccination, but believes that the state has the duty to ensure correct information of the population.
