Vaccination remains a priority in Ukraine’s public policy, even despite the full-scale invasion. The Immunization Week 2024 is a testament to this. This is an annual global and, in particular, European campaign in support of immunization – Ukraine also participates in it.

Tymofiy Badikov, Executive Director of the NGO “Parents for Vaccination,” told Ukrayinska Pravda in more detail. 

Since gaining independence, Ukraine has made significant progress in the development of immunization, especially in recent years, despite the difficult challenges and the fight against the enemy for its future. This progress is evident in everything from the introduction of vaccine buses that allow us to reach remote communities to improved vaccine storage systems that ensure the cold chain is maintained. This equipment helps to maintain the effectiveness of vaccines even in the most remote parts of the country. The commitment of medical staff to vaccination has increased, which undoubtedly affects the conscious position of parents regarding vaccination.

Previously, vaccination in Ukraine faced skepticism, partly due to insufficiently informed medical staff who sometimes refused to vaccinate or could not adequately answer parents’ questions. Long-term comprehensive advocacy work has yielded good results. Evidence-based vaccine prevention is winning out, both in the community of skeptical healthcare professionals and among many parents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) play an important role in the national health strategy, actively collaborating with civil society organizations and international partners, which has significantly strengthened the public health system in the country. The CDCs have already proved to be key elements of the health care system, not only providing educational and advocacy activities, but also playing a central role in promoting vaccination. It is gratifying that in many regions the CDCs have already become partners of the Coalition for Vaccination civil union.

Ukrainian Immunization Week

The activity in the regions and communities during the European Immunization Week 2024 is satisfying. Various educational and advocacy events are held under the auspices of the CPC for different target audiences – doctors, parents, educators (also representatives of other labor groups), and children.

The Coalition for Vaccination works closely with the Centers in the regions covered by the USAID “Building a Resilient Public Health System” project (Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Odesa, Ternopil, Chernivtsi, and Chernihiv oblasts). We are pleased that our experience in conducting such events is being scaled up and taken into account at the regional and national levels.

Challenges for immunoprophylaxis

Although there are successes in the field of immunization, many challenges remain. Some of them are related to the war, such as the destruction of medical infrastructure, population displacement, and uneven access to medical services in the frontline areas and areas most affected by the fighting. Currently, the residents of these communities are mostly receiving these services only through humanitarian projects.

Restoring healthcare infrastructure and ensuring equal access to vaccination in times of war require significant efforts and coordination at all levels of government.

There is also a need to improve legislation in the field of immunization.

The new draft law “On Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases” is expected to introduce changes that will simplify and improve immunization procedures. Work is also underway on the updated Order 595 “On the Procedure for Preventive Vaccinations in Ukraine and Quality Control and Circulation of Medical Immunobiological Products”, which is intended to improve the quality of immunization.

The process of implementing regional strategies for the development of immunization and protection of the population from infectious diseases that can be prevented through immunization for the period up to 2030 is underway. The regional strategies are intended to become the basis for the formation of a sustainable public health system that can effectively respond to current challenges. They envisage not only the provision of vaccines to the population, but also the training of healthcare workers, the renewal of medical equipment, and the integration of modern technologies for better monitoring of immunization activities. In addition, given the conditions of war, vaccination initiatives are also being adapted to the needs of displaced persons and people living in frontline areas.

The European Immunization Week 2024 reinforced the importance of solidarity and cooperation between regions, organizations, and communities, emphasizing that the only way to overcome challenges is to work together for the benefit of public health.