Vaccination Rates Stall in Latvia: Issues Beyond Disinformation Emerge

Experts at a recent informational event in Latvia concluded that increasing the country’s vaccination rates will require diverse, targeted approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. The event, titled “Immunization in Latvia: what stands between vaccine availability and vaccination?”, brought together healthcare professionals and officials to address Latvia’s persistently low vaccination coverage.

Elīna Dimiņa, director of the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC), emphasized that different demographic groups require tailored communication strategies. “Younger people are more easily reached through media, while older individuals often rely on different sources of information,” she explained.

This sentiment was echoed by Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne, director of the Institute of Public Health at Riga Stradiņš University, who pointed out that Latvia lacks strategic health communication through media channels. According to Ķīvīte-Urtāne, media coverage tends to be reactive rather than proactive, focusing on current events instead of using communication strategically to address specific health concerns.

The experts also acknowledged that combating widespread disinformation around vaccines represents a long-term challenge for public health authorities.

Dimiņa highlighted that although public discussions often center on childhood vaccination schedules, Latvia is increasingly promoting the concept of lifelong vaccination. She noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Latvia maintained relatively stable vaccination coverage levels compared to many other countries.

The recent measles outbreak in Latvia has raised public health concerns but also presents an opportunity to broaden education about vaccination benefits. Dimiņa presented stark historical context: between 1963 and 1967—before vaccination began—Latvia recorded 76,542 measles cases. In contrast, between 2021 and early 2023, only two cases were documented.

The current outbreak has already registered 49 cases, prompting an increase in demand for the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella). However, Dimiņa characterized this uptick as “a drop in the ocean” relative to overall vaccination coverage needs.

Multiple participants emphasized the potential role of digitalization in improving vaccination rates. Alise Singha, vice chair of the Latvian Junior Doctors Association and a practicing family doctor, cited Estonia’s system where physicians receive daily computer-generated lists of patients requiring vaccination or booster shots.

Juris Gaiķis from the Latvian Digital Health Center pointed to implementation challenges in Latvia, noting that not all family doctors have entered their patients’ vaccination records into electronic systems. Additionally, outdated contact information in the e-health system often prevents effective automated reminders to patients about upcoming vaccinations.

When addressing the underlying causes of Latvia’s vaccination hesitancy, Jana Feldmane from the Ministry of Health suggested that broader cultural patterns influence public attitudes toward healthcare. “There has historically been a lack of trust in the state in Latvia, and this extends beyond the healthcare sector,” Feldmane stated. “It is very difficult to address this.”

Singha also criticized media coverage of healthcare, arguing that reporting tends to focus on negative stories while positive developments receive limited attention. She further emphasized that improving vaccination rates requires not only public education but also ongoing professional development for family doctors, acknowledging that some medical professionals hold outdated views or even oppose vaccination.

According to the Latvian Junior Doctors Association, Latvia paradoxically has one of Europe’s most comprehensive state-funded vaccination programs, yet vaccination coverage remains insufficient. The organization emphasizes that vaccination protects both individuals and society through herd immunity.

The global context shows similar challenges. Studies indicate that approximately one in five parents worldwide hesitates to vaccinate their children, with Latvia showing particularly concerning trends. Public trust in vaccines in Latvia ranks among the lowest in the European Union, despite vaccination’s proven track record in eradicating diseases like smallpox and nearly eliminating polio in most regions.

As Latvia continues to grapple with these challenges, the experts agreed that improving vaccination rates will require coordinated efforts across healthcare, education, media, and digital infrastructure, with particular attention to rebuilding public trust in health institutions.