Vaccination is both personal protection and a contribution to collective immunity

As part of World Immunization Week, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF in Ukraine emphasize that vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for protecting health. Vaccination against infectious diseases not only offers individual protection but also contributes to strengthening collective immunity—a critical factor in times of the war, infectious disease threats, and heightened pressure on the healthcare system. 

“Timely immunization helps prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases, protects both children and adults from severe and often fatal complications, and reduces the burden on a healthcare system that has been operating under the strain of shelling and war-related challenges for the past three years. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, joint efforts by the Ministry and its partners have ensured a continuous supply of vaccines to the regions. The creation and support of mobile vaccination teams working in remote settlements and communities, the reconstruction of damaged medical facilities, and the development of modern infrastructure for vaccine storage and delivery in accordance with cold chain requirements have made vaccinations accessible to every Ukrainian, regardless of place of residence,” said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine. 

As of the end of 2024, over 80% of children in Ukraine have been vaccinated against most infectious diseases. These rates indicate a return to pre-war vaccination levels. However, they still fall short of the threshold required to ensure collective immunity. According to WHO recommendations, a 95% vaccination coverage rate is needed to establish full collective immunity. 

“We remember that the risk of outbreaks remain high in Ukraine and continue to make efforts to combat vaccine preventable diseases despite the challenges. Working alongside the Ministry of Health, our partners, communities at the Oblast and Hromada levels, we continue striving to reach the recommended 95% coverage for most vaccines - an essential threshold to reduce the risk of community transmission. Achieving it means protecting young lives from preventable diseases and giving every child the healthiest possible start in life. Immunization for all is Humanly Possible!” said WHO Representative in Ukraine Jarno Habicht. 

Particular attention is currently being paid to the insufficient vaccination coverage against measles. In 2024, 91.4% of children received the measles vaccine at age one, and 83.4% at age six. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases: 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals are at risk of infection after contact with an infected person. The most vulnerable are unvaccinated children. Measles cases are rising globally, and as of early 2025, Ukraine has recorded nine outbreaks. The main causes of these outbreaks are low vaccination coverage and missed age-appropriate vaccinations. The last measles epidemic in Ukraine occurred between 2017 and 2019 due to inadequate vaccination rates. Over 100,000 people were infected, and 41 died, including 25 children. Most adult cases resulted from child-to-adult transmission. 

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine, together with its partners, continues to work to ensure vaccine availability for all, so that Ukrainians can receive timely protection against infectious diseases despite the ongoing war. 

“Every child has the right to grow up healthy—and that begins with protection from deadly yet vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization is one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health tools we have, saving millions of young lives every year. In times of war, mass displacement and instability make children even more vulnerable. Missing a vaccine narrows a child’s window of protection and threatens the whole community. The impact goes beyond health, affecting learning, growth, and future potential. We must invest, act together, and remember: every child, everywhere, must be protected. Vaccination means planning for health and for the future of Ukraine,” stressed Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine. 

Government officials and international health experts urge parents to prioritize protecting their children from infectious diseases. If a child has missed any vaccinations, it is essential to contact a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will explain how and when the missed vaccinations can be caught up. If contact with your family doctor has been lost due to the war, visit the nearest primary healthcare facility. 

Ukraine is currently fully supplied with vaccines for routine childhood immunizations and adult revaccinations in accordance with the National Immunization Schedule. Vaccination is free of charge and available at vaccination sites in healthcare facilities across the country, following a consultation with a family doctor or a pediatrician.