Real Facts about European Vaccines and Georgian Conspiracies

Conspiracy theories about vaccination have been actively spread in Georgian online media over the past years. Various conspiracy groups claim that vaccines may cause autism, infertility, child mortality and other diseases. The most widespread message voiced by various online platforms is that the West is allegedly carrying out experiments on Georgian population with the vaccines brought to Georgia.

The vaccines used in Georgia have been introduced into the National Immunization Programs in most countries of the world. Most vaccines are brought to Georgia from European countries and are authorized in the EU member states. Thus, like Georgia, these vaccines are also used in the EU member states that makes the conspiracy about the West allegedly carrying out experiments on Georgian population absolutely groundless.

   1. Vaccines used in Georgia are also used in the producing countries.

The Myth Detector requested information from the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health about the vaccines brought to Georgia. The table below provides information about producers of vaccines brought to Georgia in 2017 as well as about vaccines used in the producing countries. The vaccines used in Georgia are also used in the producing countries; they have been authorized in other European countries. The vaccines brought to Georgia have been prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and have been authorized on European market by the European Medical Association.

    2. The vaccines used in Georgia have been introduced into the National Immunization Programs in most countries of the world.

Vaccines against the above mentioned infectious diseases have been introduced into the National Immunization Programs in most countries of the world. According to the World Health Organization, overall vaccination coverage increased to 86% in 2018.

• Human papillomavirus vaccine, which is named by Georgian propagandistic groups as the main cause of infertility, has been introduced into the National Immunization Programs of 79 countries.
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been introduced into the National Immunization Programs of 137 countries.
• Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has the greatest coverage and it has been introduced into the National Immunization Programs of 160 countries.

The countries, where measles vaccine has been introduced into the National Immunization Program

Source, WHO (2018)

The countries, where human papilloma virus vaccine has been introduced into the National Immunization Program

Source, WHO (2018)

      3. Immunization saves 2-3 million lives each year

Vaccination is the best way to improve immunity to infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization, there are licensed vaccines against 26 infectious diseases. Vaccination is a preventive measure to protect people of all ages from potentially serious diseases, improve their immunity and reduce death risks. According to the WHO, immunization saves 2-3 million lives each year.

• According to the data for 2016, global measles-related deaths dropped 84% compared to 2010;
• In 2016, the North and South America became the first region in the world to eliminate measles as a result of a 22-year effort involving mass vaccination against measles.
• Polio cases have decreased significantly in 2016. The South-East Asia Region of the World Health Organization was announced as a polio-free region.
• Maternal and neonatal tetanus was eliminated in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2016, and in the North and South America – in 2017.

Although, vaccines have reduced the number of infectious diseases, the suspension of the immunization program will cause their revival.

Conspiracy messages and sources

Citizens’ views about vaccines

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