A BOLTON doctor has taken his campaign to actively promote immunisation against the common childhood illnesses to a former Communist stronghold.

Dr Robert Aston, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, has just returned from his third visit to Romania, where he assessed the success of a nationwide immunisation programme.

Based on the work - piloted in Bolton - to protect all children against measles, mumps and rubella, Dr Aston first visited Romania in September as a representative of the World Health Organisation.

Data presented to Dr Aston and his colleagues revealed that between 1996 and 1999, there were 33,000 cases of measles in Romania and 24 reported deaths.

In October, Dr Aston helped the Romanian Government launch its immunisation programme and last week he went back to assess the success of the campaign.

The programme focused on providing immunisation against measles for all youngsters aged seven to 18 and protection against rubella for young girls aged 15 to 18.

Coverage

The coverage in schools was 95 per cent and in the community it was 71 per cent. The overall coverage rate is 93 per cent.

Dr Aston said: "People who see first hand the devastating effects these illnesses have have no hesitation in immunising their children."

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