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Immunization

in Greece

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Children affected

  • 99 per cent (2020) of 2-year-old children have received Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis vaccines (compared to 94 per cent across the EU) and 96 per cent (2021) have received Hepatitis B.
  • Secondary booster vaccine take up is lower with 83 per cent of children having a second MMR dose compared to 97 per cent at first dose (2019).

Equity

Other

  • In 2017, about 80-90 per cent of Roma children had at least one vaccine dose, 35-40 per cent had minimum vaccination, 30 per cent had basic vaccination and around 15 per cent extended vaccination.
  • In 2017, 2018, 3,000 people were reported with measles, mostly from the Roma population.

Enabling Environment

Legislation, policy, resources, coordination, data

Bottlenecks

  • Lack of regular vaccination monitoring and reporting conducted throughout the country.
  • Lack of national registry on vaccination hampers monitoring and reporting.
  • Social norms and beliefs hamper Roma children’s access to critical health services, such as vaccination.
  • Socioeconomic factors and structural barriers determine poor vaccination rates in Roma communities.

CRC Recommendations

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National Actions

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Supply

Adequately staffed services, facilities, information, commodities

Bottlenecks

  • Roma communities do not have full or timely access to sufficient information to complete their child’s vaccination schedule.

CRC Recommendations

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National Actions

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Demand

Financial access and social behavioural drivers

Bottlenecks

  • The Roma population lacks reliable and timely information on vaccinations to complete their child’s vaccination schedule.

CRC Recommendations

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National Actions

  • Take actions to ensure availability of timely information among Roma populations to increase awareness about the importance of vaccination.