Saving Lives Through Vaccination
How Tajikistan Protects Its Children
Every day at Maternity Hospital No. 2 in Dushanbe begins the same way – with the soft cries of newborns and the gentle voice of Zainab Abdulloeva comforting the babies. For 7 years, she has worked as an immunizer, giving children their first and most important vaccines. "Every child I vaccinate represents a small victory over diseases that could threaten their life," says Zainab, carefully preparing a vaccine for another baby.
In her hands is not just a syringe with a vaccine, but the future health of thousands of Tajik children. Year after year, newborns pass through Zainab's caring hands, and she protects each one against dangerous diseases.
"When I first started working, many parents feared vaccination and didn't understand its importance. Now the situation has changed – mothers themselves ask about vaccines, wanting to protect their children," says Zainab, recalling how attitudes toward vaccination have changed over the years.
Thanks to the strong and enduring partnership between Tajikistan and Japan, over a million children across the country have gained access to life-saving vaccines. This collaboration has played a pivotal role in ensuring that children, regardless of where they live, are protected from preventable diseases that can impact their health and future.
"We now have everything necessary to protect every baby, including the modern cold storage equipment where the vaccines are kept safe and according to international standards."
Modern Technology Safeguarding Health
In recent years, Tajikistan's vaccination system has made tremendous progress. Thanks to the "Improvement of Early Childhood Vaccination" project funded by the Government of Japan, in 2022, 324,000 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and 270,900 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine were delivered to the country. These numbers aren't just statistics—they represent saved children's lives.
Nushofarin, a devoted mother of two, vividly recalls the mixture of emotions she felt before her eldest child's first vaccination. Like many parents, she had questions and concerns, wondering if it was the right choice for her child’s health. Today, however, she looks back with a sense of gratitude and reassurance, knowing that vaccination has not only protected her children from life-threatening diseases but has also paved the way for a healthier, brighter future.
"I was very worried, searching for information online and asking friends. But when I met Zainab, all my fears disappeared. She explained the importance of each vaccine so thoroughly that no doubts remained," says Nushofarin, holding her younger daughter who has just received her scheduled vaccine.
International Cooperation Saves Lives
Since 2005, the Government of Japan has consistently supported the early childhood vaccines in Tajikistan through collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and UNICEF. Thanks to the persistent support of UNICEF, this project enabled over 1 million children under 1 year of age across Tajikistan to access essential vaccines at primary health facilities. Over the past three years, 1,064,000 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines and 600,900 doses of Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccines, along with the necessary quantities of syringes and safety boxes, have been delivered to the Republican Center of Immunoprophylaxis of the Government of Tajikistan.
"This early childhood vaccines project has been meaningful and significant in reducing the risk of child mortality and morbidity due to vaccine-preventable diseases for over 1 million children under 1 year of age across Tajikistan," emphasizes the Ambassador of Japan in Tajikistan, H.E. Tashihiro Aiki.
"Every time I see healthy children I once vaccinated, I understand we're doing important work," says Zainab as she finishes her workday. Tomorrow will bring new babies, new caring mothers and fathers, and new small victories over dangerous diseases.
Over the past five years, nearly 4.5 million children in Tajikistan have received quality immunization services. This is not just statistics – it represents thousands of saved lives, healthy smiles, and parents confident in their children's future.
"The first thing parents see when they come to us is a smile. After all, we're doing important work – protecting children. The most rewarding part of my work is when parents bring their second or third child and already know exactly why each vaccine is needed. They see the results in their older children and understand the importance of vaccination."
Healthy Children – Happy Parents
"Each vaccine is like an invisible shield that protects a child. And parents who follow the vaccination schedule give their children the most valuable gift – good health," explains Dilbar Khalimova, a vaccinator in children's polyclinic No. 13 in Dushanbe. , pointing to a colorful vaccination calendar on her office wall.
The modern immunization room has everything necessary for safe child vaccination – special refrigerators for vaccine storage, disposable syringes, and sterile materials. "We have created all the conditions to make vaccination as comfortable as possible for babies and their parents," says Dilbar. These modern vaccination facilities for children have become possible thanks to active international cooperation.
Farzona, a caring and attentive mother of two lively boys aged 5 and 3, is among the many parents in Tajikistan who understand the critical importance of timely vaccinations. She carefully tracks their immunization schedules, ensuring that her children are protected against preventable diseases. For Farzona, each vaccination is a step towards safeguarding her boys’ future, allowing them to grow up healthy, active, and ready to explore the world around them.
"My children received all their vaccines on time. The elder one already goes to kindergarten, and the younger one will start soon. I'm at peace about their health because I know they're protected," Farzona shares while her younger son receives his scheduled vaccine.
Vaccines Saving Lives
"When mothers ask me about vaccines, I always say: imagine that you're teaching your child to protect themselves. Just as we teach children to cross the road safely or be careful with hot objects, we use vaccines to teach their bodies to protect against dangerous diseases," explains Dilbar.
Every child deserves a healthy childhood, and every parent can give their child this protection. Timely vaccination is an investment in the future that pays off with strong health and happy smiles of children.
"At the end of each day, I know that I helped protect more children. When I see families coming back with their younger children, and seeing how healthy their older ones have grown – that's the best confirmation of the importance of our work," says Dilbar.