MINSK, 26 February (BelTA) – The Healthcare Ministry of Belarus has received a batch of measles vaccines provided by Russia as gratuitous aid, BelTA has learned.
The vaccines will be used in prevention activities.
According to Belarus Deputy Healthcare Minister – Chief Sanitary Inspector Natalia Zhukova, communicable diseases remain a serious threat to public health. Vaccination is the most efficient way of disease prevention. Coordination and cooperation of healthcare systems and interstate partnership help address issues related to people's wellbeing and public health.
The neighboring countries are experiencing a measles outbreak. Several incidents of measles were also reported in Belarus; however prevention activities and vaccination of those who were not vaccinated before or have no documented evidence of vaccination allowed localizing imported measles cases and preventing the spread of the infection.
In line with a government resolution, Russia earmarked budgetary funds to help countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia step up disease prevention and control activities. As part of this program, Belarus was granted 100,000 doses of measles vaccines.
According to Councilor of the Russian Embassy in Belarus Alexey Sukhov, prevention and control of infectious diseases are getting increasingly relevant in the face of current globalization and migration trends. It is paramount to join efforts in order to succeed in this fight.
