# Positive Impact of Vaccinal Status Among Notified Measles Cases in Romania in 2020–2024

## TL;DR

This study shows that measles vaccination in Romania from 2020–2024 reduced hospitalizations and improved clinical outcomes, even when the disease still occurred.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that MMR vaccination reduces hospitalization rates and severity of measles, even in vaccinated individuals who still contract the disease.

## Key findings

- Vaccinated individuals had a 12% decrease in hospitalization rates depending on MMR doses received.
- Vaccination reduced the severity of clinical features but did not significantly affect disease duration.
- MMR vaccination improves clinical outcomes and reduces disease burden in measles cases.

## Abstract

Background and Objectives: Measles is a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease with significant morbidity in the European region, including Romania, especially in the post-COVID-19 era with low vaccination rates which no longer provide herd immunity. The current study aims to show how vaccination reduces the disease burden. Methods: A study using 29,148 cases with measles-compatible features in Romania from the 2020–2024 period was performed, analyzing symptoms, complications, and hospitalization rates comparatively between vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups. Results: Our findings show substantial hospitalization rates reduction among vaccinated cases with an over 12% decrease—depending on the number of MMR doses—as well as reduced severity of clinical features, but no significant effect on disease duration. Conclusions: MMR vaccination provides protection beyond primary disease prevention, as it reduces the disease burden among measles cases by reducing disease-related hospitalizations and improving clinical outcomes.