Large Number of First Graders only Partially Immunized

vaccines (photo: pexels.com)

Around 9,000 first graders in Serbia had not received MMR vaccines against measles, mumps, and rubella, or had been partially immunized, Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti reported on Sept. 2.

Last year, 884 cases of measles were reported, of which 97.6 percent were unvaccinated children, according to the daily. 

The MMR vaccine is mandatory in Serbia and children should receive the first dose by their first birthday, and the second dose before starting school. 

In 2024, 15.7 percent of children did not get the MMR vaccine, while only 9.2 percent received the second dose, according to the data of the Institute of Public Health of Serbia Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut.