Doctors say: Vaccines have nothing to do with autism

MOSTAR, (Patria) - The decreasing coverage of the population with immunization, due to weaker vaccination, primarily of children, is the reason why infectious diseases that have not been seen in recent decades are returning to our area.

This was warned at a press conference by experts from the Institute of Public Health (ZZJZ) of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNK), citing the example of the flu, which has been linked to two deaths in the HNK area in recent months, reports Starmo.

According to data from the ZZJZ, from the end of October until February 6, 1,803 cases of flu or similar illnesses were registered in the HNK area, and two deaths of elderly people from complications caused by the flu were also recorded.

This season, a large number of young children and working-age people have fallen ill with the flu and similar illnesses, so some private companies have procured vaccines.

- When we add up the total number of people who fell ill with the flu and when we consider the amount of one worker's daily wage, we arrive at a figure that the flu and flu-like illnesses have so far cost our canton around 300,000 marks, which could have been very easily prevented by vaccination - warned the head of the Epidemiology Service at the Institute of Public Health of HNK, Dr. Erdin Alajbegović.

The decreasing vaccination and lower coverage of the population with immunization are the reason why some infectious diseases that had disappeared due to pre-war immunization are returning.

- Negative and irresponsible propaganda by individuals and some groups, which unfortunately also receive media coverage, has led to the deterioration of this immunization coverage. Parents have been confused and are not sure whether to vaccinate their child or not - emphasized the director of the Institute of Public Health of HNK, prim. Dr. Nermin Avdić.

He also reminded of a series of speculations that are spreading in the public regarding vaccines, such as those about autism.

- Many studies have been conducted, and no study in the world, by eminent experts, has at any point been able to determine that autism is any reason to be linked to a vaccine - said prim. Dr. Avdić. Experts from the ZZJZ of HNK also remind that vaccines in BiH are procured from Europe and America.

Dr. Nermin Avdić, a specialist in epidemiology, points to the example of Serbia, where there has been a decline in immunization, and recently deaths from measles have been recorded.

- We must develop collective immunity. We can develop it if the coverage of children with immunization exceeds 90, 95 percent. When we develop collective immunity, we can get measles, any of these infectious diseases, one case, two, but it is not able to spread to other children and cannot turn into an epidemic - added prim. Dr. Nermin Avdić.

He also asked whether it is necessary for illness to occur before awareness among the population about the need for vaccination is raised.