Europe and Central Asia

Geneva / New York / Seattle, 24 April 2024 – A major landmark study to be published by The Lancet reveals that global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives – or the equivalent of 6 lives every minute of every year – over the past 50 years. The vast majority of lives saved – 101 million – were those of infants. The study,…

Vaccines are one of humanity's greatest achievement. In the last 50 years alone, they’ve saved nearly 154 million lives – that’s more than 3 million lives a year or six people every minute for five decades. WHO recommends 13 universal immunizations across the life course to defend against deadly illnesses, from pneumonia to diphtheria to measles…

Copenhagen, Geneva, Brussels, 22 April 2024 – The establishment of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) 50 years ago was a pivotal moment in the history of public health and has saved millions of lives globally every year. In 1974, only 5% of the world’s children had been vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Today, that…

With the decline in vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic, measles cases are rising in Europe and Central Asia. Children who have not been fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine remain at the greatest risk of catching the measles virus that can lead to pneumonia, lifelong brain damage, hearing loss and even death. The vast majority of doctors…, What is measles?, Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It can spread to others when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Other people can become infected if they breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air. It is so contagious that…, What is mumps?, Mumps is a very contagious viral disease. We can catch it from an infected person who sneezes or coughs near us. It also spreads when an infected person touches their nose or mouth and then touches a surface someone else may touch. The symptoms are often mild and usually take a few days to appear. The most noticeable are swollen cheeks and neck…, What is rubella?, Rubella is a contagious viral infection. We can catch it when an infected person coughs or sneezes near us. It also spreads when we touch a surface that has been contaminated with the rubella virus by being touched by someone who is infected, and then touch our own eyes, mouth or nose. Rubella used to be called ‘German measles’, and some people…, What is the MMR vaccine?, The MMR vaccine protects our children from measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). These diseases can cause severe harm and even death. That's why vaccination against them is so important to help our children grow up healthy and protected! The MMR vaccine has been used since the 1970s and has been given safely to more than 500 million children…, How is the MMR vaccine given?, A short needle under the skin is used to give a child the MMR vaccine. Our children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine for the best possible protection against measles, mumps and rubella. The exact time of the MMR vaccine depends on your country’s vaccination schedule. The World Health Organization recommends that the first dose of the…, Can my child get the MMR and other vaccines if they are allergic to eggs?, Yes. Children with an egg allergy can still have the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccination. The vaccine contains only tiny amounts of egg protein and can even be given to children with a severe egg allergy, such as anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, nausea or vomiting, loss of consciousness). As for any other vaccine, children…, Should I still immunize my child if they have already had measles, mumps or rubella?, We should still immunize our children against these diseases, even if they had one of the diseases in the past. The MMR vaccine protects our child against three diseases (measles, mumps and rubella) with the same injection. A previous infection with one disease cannot protect our child against all three of them. Remember: some diseases, including…, Does the MMR vaccine cause autism?, No. Many studies have shown that the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine and other vaccines do not cause autism. The link between the MMR vaccine and autism is a myth that keeps circulating online, but it has been shown to be completely wrong by study after study. The MMR vaccine is safe and protects our children against measles, mumps and rubella…, What are the potential side effects of the MMR vaccine?, Like any other vaccine or medicine, the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine can have some side effects, but they are mostly mild and temporary. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and protects our children against measles, mumps and rubella, which are dangerous diseases that can cause severe harm and even death. Serious adverse reactions to the…

The world has made tremendous progress against polio in the past three decades, vaccinating over 2.5 billion children and reducing cases by 99 percent. But this progress is fragile, and we cannot afford to lose focus. Millions of children are still missing out on routine vaccinations because of pandemic disruptions, conflict, climate disasters and…, On the ground, Six-year-old Mykhailyk during his vaccination medical examination, conducted by the nurses at the clinic. Six-year-old Mykhailyk’s parents bring him for two comprehensive vaccinations – a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus and polio, and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). It takes just a few minutes for the doctor to examine him, and then seconds…

The largest decline in childhood vaccinations in three decades has been among the many fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with potentially dangerous repercussions for children and societies. New data released this week show promising signs of recovery in some countries, including across Europe and Central Asia as countries stepped up immunisation…

New data from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) offers a snapshot of children's immunization coverage across the Europe and Central Asia region. Across the region, more than 200,000 are still not fully vaccinated. In 2022, 229,000 out of nearly 4.1 million surviving infants in the region did not receive the three recommended doses of…

Geneva, Brussels, Copenhagen, 24 April 2023 – Following three years with COVID-19, we are transitioning into a new normal and building on many lessons learned to create resilient health systems and stronger outbreak preparedness. Among these lessons is the powerful strength of collaboration, without which we cannot equitably reach everyone with…

For every child, vaccination, For every child, vaccination, Immunization is one of humanity’s most remarkable success stories. It has saved countless lives. Many more lives will be saved if the goals of the Immunization Agenda 2030 are achieved. This global strategy aims for a world where “everyone, everywhere, at every age, fully benefits from vaccines for good health and well-being”. Immunization allows…, Immunization coverage in Europe and Central Asia, Europe and Central Asia has the highest immunization coverage rates in the world. However, the pandemic set back immunization coverage. Between 2019 and 2021, the coverage of DTP and measles vaccines dropped. This led to an increase in the number of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children. SOWC 2023 Figure 1.1 Source: World Health Organization and…, Box 1. Understanding zero-dose, ‘Zero-dose’ and ‘under-vaccinated’ have become key concepts in explaining immunization coverage, in aligning global efforts to improve vaccine coverage, and for monitoring success. What do they mean? Zero-dose refers to children who have not received any vaccinations. Most live in communities that experience multiple deprivations. Under-vaccinated…, Case Study 1: Kyrgyzstan, Social influence: Faith leaders, volunteers and health-care workers build vaccine confidence in rural areas Though her daughter, Aila, was first vaccinated shortly after birth, Meerim Omurkanova hesitated when it was time for follow-up immunizations. “I read on the internet that vaccinations could cause cerebral palsy and autism,” Omurkanova said…, Who is missing out on vaccines?, An analysis for The State of the World’s Children 2023 shows some of the socioeconomic determinants associated with immunization. 2 The numbers make the connection between children who miss out on vaccination and inequity. By global standards, Europe and Central Asia has low zero-dose prevalence.  2. This analysis includes surveys carried out from…, Adolescent girls’ health: Focus on HPV, According to the World Health Organization, more than 95 per cent of cervical cancer is caused by sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine helps protect against a number of cancers, notably cervical cancer, which is estimated to be the fourth largest cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. SOWC 2023 Figure 8 Source:…, Case Study: Uzbekistan, A shot of prevention: HPV vaccine is introduced At age 14, Shakhrizoda Alanazarova knows all too well the benefits of vaccination. Five years ago, she and her family lived through a stressful time when a close relative was diagnosed with cervical and breast cancer. Despite treatment, Shakhrizoda’s relative died at the age of 43. So, when the…, Understanding behaviours to drive vaccine confidence, The UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is using an innovative process of behavioural insights (BI) to understand and identify barriers to immunization and address vaccine hesitancy. BI is a field that draws on research from psychology, economics, sociology and neuroscience to generate insights about why people make the choices they…, A framework for action, Despite undeniable progress over many decades, we continue to face critical challenges in immunization. Immunization coverage has fallen back, or stagnated, in too many places. We are persistently missing children with life-saving vaccines, especially the socially marginalized and poorest children, and the situation has only deteriorated during…, For Every Child, Vaccination R E G I O N A L B R I E F : E U R O P E A N D C E N T R A L A S I AT H E S TAT E O F T H E W O R L D S C H I L D R E N 2 0 2 3 1 THE STATE OF THE WORLDS CHILDREN 2023: FOR EVERY CHILD, VACCINATION For every child, vaccination Immunization is one of humanitys most remarkable success stories. It has saved countless lives…

NEW YORK, 20 April 2023 – The public perception of the importance of childhood vaccines has declined across Europe and Central Asia since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new analysis of data from 55 countries worldwide – 29 of which are in Europe and Central Asia. The analysis is featured in a new report published today by…

About, Immunization allows children everywhere to live lives free of many forms of disability and illness. UNICEF's  The State of the World’s Children 2023 highlights the current situation of immunization for children globally. UNICEF's regional brief for Europe and Central Asia demonstrate that public demand, scientific innovations and – perhaps above…, Immunization coverage in Europe and Central Asia, Europe and Central Asia has the highest immunization coverage rates in the world. However, the pandemic set back immunization coverage. Girl receiving a HPV vaccine. UNICEF/UN0687610/Babajanyan VII Photo Nearly one million children in Europe and Central Asia missed all or some routine vaccinations between 2019 and 2021. Many of these children…, Understanding zero-dose, ‘Zero-dose’ and ‘under-vaccinated’ have become key concepts in explaining immunization coverage. Among children who missed one or several routine vaccinations in the region, 327,400 are “zero-dose” and “under-vaccinated” children, meaning they have either not received any vaccines or the third required dose of the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT…, Disruptions to vaccination, The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt 3-month-old gets vaccinated in Tajikistan UNICEF/UN0635918/Babajanyan VII Photo The pandemic caused immense disruption to health services globally, including immunization. Across Europe and Central Asia, as in other parts of the world, several clinics were closed, the distribution of syringes…, Vaccine confidence, Using behavioural insights to understand and identify barriers to immunization and address vaccine hesitancy. In 29 countries in Europe and Central Asia Region, there was a decrease in the perception of the importance of vaccines for children. Among the 29 countries, Croatia experienced the greatest decline in confidence in childhood vaccines,…, Immunization trends, Despite undeniable progress over many decades, we continue to face critical challenges in immunization. Nurse shows vaccination calendar UNICEF/UN0760644/Babajanyan VII Photo Other key data on immunization in Europe and Central Asia featured in the report include: The highest prevalence of zero-dose children is among mothers with primary education…, Taking action, Here is a set of concrete and actionable recommendations to reach every child with vaccines and to ensure that immunization and primary health-care systems are ready to meet future challenges. UNICEF is calling on governments to double-down on their commitment to increase financing for immunization and to work with stakeholders to unlock available…

Vaccination is one of the world’s safest and most cost-effective public health interventions. Yet growing distrust in science, coupled with misinformation, means that vaccination coverage rates are declining in some countries and communities, resulting in an upsurge of vaccine-preventable diseases. Research shows that those caring for children…