Immunization programme resumed for all children across Kosovo

Prishtina, Kosovo, 07^th of May 2020 - Today, the Speaker of the Parliament, Ms. Vjosa Osmani jointly with the Head of UNICEF Kosovo Office, Mr. Murat Sahin visited the immunization center established in the family health center in Ulpiana.

The Speaker of the Parliament witnessed real time vaccination of children at the center. During the visit Ms. Vjosa Osmani said that the "Immunization programme is very important for the health of all children in Kosovo. I acknowledge the tremendous work of all health workers to meet the needs of parents and to provide basic health services to all children during this difficult time. I encourage parents to regularly and fully immunize their children."

Many countries around the globe suspended immunization programme due to COVID 19, including Kosovo. However, in partnership with National Institute of Public Health and the Ministry of Health the immunization programme resumed in 60 centers across Kosovo. Thousands of children are vaccinated and protected from diseases within few days.  

Murat Sahin, Head of UNICEF Kosovo Office said "while there is no vaccine against COVID19, there are effective vaccines against many other dangerous diseases, such as measles, diphtheria, and others, that can easily kill a child. It is important that parents in Kosovo continue vaccinating children in line with the vaccination schedule even during the pandemic. We will continue supporting health institutions to sustain immunization services while keeping health workers and communities safe by securing personal protection equipment's for health workers." - said Mr. Sahin.

Vaccines save up to 3 million lives yearly, protecting children from potentially deadly, highly infectious diseases such as measles, pneumonia, cholera, and diphtheria. Immunization is the most cost-effective child health intervention. Every dollar spent on childhood immunizations yields US$44 in economic benefits. These include savings on medical costs and productivity loss.

Kosovo has more than 90% of immunization coverage with 79 per cent of children under age 3 in Kosovo fully immunized (received all vaccines recommended as per the immunization schedule) and with 30 per cent from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo are fully immunized.

To reach the most marginalized communities, UNICEF together with the Ministry of Health through home visiting programme that reaches annually 16,000 families across Kosovo. The home visiting programme provides services such as promotion of breastfeeding, immunization and better parenting advices which is financed by the Government of Luxemburg.

To ensure quality of vaccine provided, UNICEF is in process of supporting MoH to strengthen vaccine cold chain system.  

The science is clear. Vaccines are safe, effective and life-saving tools to prevent outbreaks. #VaccinesWork