In a recent speech at a security conference in west-central Poland, Prof. Andrzej Wojtyła, rector of Calisia University and a practicing physician, stressed the importance of educating the public about the dangers associated with not receiving vaccinations.
Speaking at the 2nd Congress of Security Sciences in Kalisz, a city of 100,000 some 250 km west of Warsaw, Wojtyła said that his university's focus on vaccination issues intensified following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
He recounted providing shelter and medical assistance to unaccompanied women and children from Ukraine, during which he discovered that many of the children had not been vaccinated.
Wojtyła said this prompted the university to conduct research in Poland's western Wielkopolskie region, examining the relationship between vaccination rates and excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The findings indicated a significant correlation: a 10-percent decrease in vaccination coverage led to an 80-percent increase in excess deaths, he told the conference.
Russia seeking to create epidemiological risks in Europe: Polish expert
Addressing the spread of anti-vaccination misinformation, Wojtyła attributed it to Russian intelligence agencies, specifically the KGB.
He cited confirmations from British intelligence and recent reports from the Czech Republic, noting that Russian operatives target groups most susceptible to propaganda discouraging vaccinations, thereby creating serious epidemiological risks.
As evidence of the dangers posed by declining vaccination rates, Wojtyła pointed to the reemergence of the poliovirus in Poland.
He noted that three years ago, the virus was detected in the Zakarpattia region of western Ukraine, and more recently, it was found in sewage in flood-prone areas and in Warsaw.
This is particularly concerning, as the virus had been absent in Poland since the 1960s, Wojtyła said.
The conference brought together over 270 scholars from across Poland, representing 13 universities and 10 academies, including the Police Academy, Fire Academy, Naval Academy, and War Studies Academy.
The gathering was held to discuss security across various aspects of life, including cybersecurity, physical safety, epidemiological and health security, economic stability, environmental protection, hybrid threats, border security and social safety.
Building a society resilient to threats
One of the speakers, Brig. Gen. Mariusz Feltynowski, Chief Commander of the State Fire Service, emphasized the importance of building a society resilient to threats.
He advocated for public education on how to avoid dangers and respond appropriately until professional services arrive.
For instance, during the heating season, the fire service promotes the use of gas detection sensors. Feltynowski expressed hope that the government would soon make the installation of such sensors mandatory.
Kalisz Mayor Krystian Kinastowski discussed municipal efforts to ensure residents' safety, particularly concerning flood risks.
He highlighted the urgent need for constructing a reservoir in Wielowieś Klasztorna to mitigate flood threats to Kalisz, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Additionally, the city has implemented infrastructure measures, such as requiring developers to use larger-diameter pipes for rainwater drainage.
This "channel retention" strategy allows for temporary storage of stormwater during heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP