UNICEF Kosovo and Chairman of the Council of the Islamic Community of Prishtina Meet to Discuss Promotion of Immunization to Protect Children’s Health

Pristina, 24 April 2026 — Ahead of World Immunization Week, Veronika Vashchenko, Head of the UNICEF Kosovo office met with Imam Hetem Sopjani, Chairman of the Council of the Islamic Community of Prishtina, to discuss opportunities to strengthen community engagement and promote the importance of immunization for children.

Recognizing the influential role of faith leaders in communities, the meeting focused on how religious leaders can help address concerns, build trust, and support the dissemination of accurate information. Participants highlighted the importance of ensuring that families receive reliable information and feel confident in immunization services.

“Vaccines have safely protected children, families and communities for generations. Vaccines have saved over 150 million lives during the last 50 years,” said Veronika Vashchenko, Head of the UNICEF Kosovo office. “Engaging trusted community voices, including religious leaders, is essential to ensuring that accurate information reaches every family and helps build confidence in immunization.”

Meanwhile, Hetem Sopjani, Chairman of the Council of the Islamic Community of Pristina, emphasized that: “In Islam, one of the main objectives of divine law is the protection of human life. The Qur’an states that ‘whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.’ This powerful message reminds us that every effort to prevent diseases and to save lives is not only a humanitarian act, but also an act of great spiritual value.”

During the discussion, both sides emphasized the value of using mosques and community spaces as platforms for sharing information and encouraging dialogue with parents and caregivers. It was noted that safeguarding children’s health aligns with shared values of care, responsibility, and community solidarity.

World Immunization Week is observed during the last week of April to highlight the life-saving power of vaccines. UNICEF, jointly with the partners, is working to strengthen health systems and close immunization gaps to ensure every child is protected from dangerous diseases. UNICEF Kosovo calls on all parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive timely vaccinations and to seek information from trusted health providers.