Measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases, is making a strong comeback across Europe, with Romania at the epicenter of a growing crisis. The country’s measles epidemic, which has been active for years, saw a sharp increase in cases in 2023, fueled by a combination of vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and a struggling healthcare system.
Romania’s vaccination rate has plummeted to just 62% in 2023, far below the 95% threshold needed to effectively curb the disease. This has led to an alarming rise in infections, especially among unvaccinated children under five. In 2023 alone, 31,000 people contracted measles, and 22 people died, with nearly half of the cases occurring in young children. The resurgence of measles is also being felt in other European countries, including Italy, Germany, and France, which have reported hundreds of cases in the past year.
Dr. Claudia Cojocaru, a neonatologist in Romania who contracted measles herself, has become a vocal advocate for vaccines, aiming to combat misinformation and educate the public. Despite her efforts, Romania’s healthcare system remains underfunded, with a shortage of resources and medical professionals. This, combined with pervasive anti-vaccine rhetoric, has left many parents skeptical of immunization programs.
The crisis is compounded by the country’s under-resourced healthcare infrastructure, which spends only 5.8% of its GDP on healthcare—about half the EU average. As a result, misinformation, weak public health campaigns, and an inadequate medical workforce have contributed to the erosion of public trust in vaccines.
The situation in Romania serves as a warning for the rest of Europe. According to Dr. Dragan Jankovic of the WHO, the risk of measles outbreaks is growing, particularly in countries with fragmented healthcare systems and conflicting health messages. In many regions, the number of unvaccinated individuals is increasing, threatening to undo years of progress in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.
To prevent a broader resurgence of measles, public health experts stress the importance of robust vaccination campaigns and clear, consistent health messaging. Romania’s struggles are not isolated, and without widespread action, Europe could face a larger public health crisis.
References:
Euronews Health, World Health Organization (WHO), National Public Health Institute of Romania, March 2025
Excerpts from euronews.com article By Gabriela Galvin
