A worrying decline in childhood vaccination rates has been observed in Cyprus, according to Dr Michalis Anastasiades, President of the Cyprus Paediatric Society. Speaking to Radio Proto, he issued a call for vigilance and greater public awareness.
“Recent data shows a certain level of hesitancy among parents when it comes to vaccinating their children,” Dr Anastasiades said, adding that the pandemic played a significant role in shaping this trend.
“The pandemic was an emergency situation… it disrupted many aspects of our daily routines,” he noted. While vaccine hesitancy is not a new phenomenon, he explained that the COVID-19 era amplified doubts and scepticism in parts of the population.
Dr Anastasiades stressed that vaccines have saved millions of lives over the past decades, and that their safety is not only well-established, but constantly monitored under strict international standards.
“If vaccination coverage in a population drops, the likelihood of previously controlled infectious diseases re-emerging becomes very high,” he warned. “Vaccines are preventive by nature—once a disease has developed, the vaccine holds no value at that stage.”
Measles are a particular concern
He made special reference to measles, describing it as “the most easily transmitted viral infection affecting humans.”
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing a rise in measles cases across many countries, including in Europe and Africa- and here in Cyprus, we’ve also seen an increase in recent years.”
He emphasised that measles is “not just a common cold- it can lead to permanent damage, especially to the nervous system.”
Is childhood vaccination mandatory in Cyprus?
When asked whether childhood vaccinations are mandatory in Cyprus, Dr Anastasiades clarified:
“To attend school, children are indirectly expected to show vaccination coverage. They’re asked to provide a vaccination history- but this is not a formal legal requirement for enrolment.”
“We are not in favour of mandatory vaccination. What we support is awareness and education.”
He concluded by underlining the need to restore public trust, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
“Vaccine hesitancy is not unique to Cyprus, it’s a global issue. The challenge is how to rebuild public confidence in vaccination, without dismissing the concerns that people may have.”
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