Polish Legislation and Health Policy against the Background of Achievement of the Assumptions and Objectives of the Measles Eradication Programme in the European Region

Abstract

Abstract The measles elimination programme in the European region set up by the World Health Organization was a response to the real risk of a measles epidemic in Europe. The ideas of the programme were to be integrated into national regulations to effectively counteract this threat. The end of the programme in 2020 opens the door for discussion on the further need to refine legislative and organisational solutions for measles prevention. This is even more justified as new measles outbreaks have been observed in the European region since 2018. Poland was one of the countries in the European region to take legislative action to protect public health after 2008. However, it was only the COVID-19 pandemic that led to numerous amendments to the national legal order. This raises the question of the effectiveness and quality of national regulations against measles. This article analyses selected national regulations in relation to the objectives of the measles elimination programme in the European region. The assessment shows the need for further improvement of national legislation, as well as the need to extend the measles elimination programme in the European region to coordinate national efforts.