A Vaccine Hero
Dilbar Khalimova’s commitment to childhood immunisation has helped to keep generations of children in Tajikistan healthy and protected.
"Many parents know me because I sometimes vaccinate all the children in their family…”
It's a typical Monday morning for Dilbar Khalimova, a dedicated vaccinator who's been working at a health center in Dushanbe for more than 28 years. Every ten to fifteen minutes, there's a gentle knock on the door and anxious mothers with their young children enter the vaccination room. Some arrive with a little fear in their eyes, while others, greet Dilbar warmly.
Dilbar is known for her gentle touch when vaccinating children, making the process smooth and easy for them and she notes that "many parents know me because I sometimes vaccinate all the children in their family.” Every day, Dilbar Alimova vaccinates children from the age of two months up to the age of 16 years. She also provides education and awareness to parents.
Originally from Vakhdat, Dilbar moved to Dushanbe in the 1990s to study medicine.
"I loved medicine from childhood. I remember dropping out of my first year at the Pedagogical University because I couldn't see myself anywhere but in the medical field. A year later I was admitted to medical school and graduated in 1996. I've been vaccinating children ever since.”
Routine that saves children’s lives.
Dilbar's working day starts at 8 o'clock in the morning with preparations for the arrival of children for vaccination. Dilbar's first task is to clean the vaccination room. She then checks the temperature in the refrigerator to make sure the life-saving vaccines are kept at their optimum condition. Every degree counts and Dilbar knows it well.
"Before entering the vaccination room, the children are first examined by the family doctors, who check their weight, height and temperature, and if the child feels well, they approve the vaccination. Vaccinations are scheduled according to Tajikistan's national vaccination calendar. It helps parents understand which vaccine is being given and when,"- explains Dilbar.
Dilbar shares her experience with any parent who is hesitant about vaccines. She explains parents that vaccines help children strengthen their immune systems, protecting them from many deadly diseases and protecting other children around them.
UNICEF/Tajikistan/2024/M.Ruziev
UNICEF/Tajikistan/2024/M.Ruziev
Rakhimov Ahadjon, 12 months old, has just had his DTP vaccination and is now smiling in Dilbar's hands. Every vaccination Ahadjon receives is recorded in his immunization passport.
Misinformation on Internet is vaccinators’ worst enemy.
Dilbar notes that vaccination coverage in Dushanbe is stable and high, but there are sometimes cases of parents refusing to vaccinate their children because of misinformation they've heard.
"Some parents get misinformation about vaccines from the internet and other untrustworthy sources. But I urge them to talk to our family doctors, who can explain the science behind the vaccines and share the facts," says Dilbar.
She also adds that such sessions don't just involve talking to a family doctor; if necessary, the head of the health center will intervene and advise the parents.
Dilbar adds that many years ago, when she worked at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, she used to see paralysed children coming out of the polio ward.
"Fortunately, that was a long time ago, and I no longer see those children because parents vaccinate their children against polio now. They vaccinate because they know how dangerous polio is to the children and what the benefits of the vaccine are."- explains Dilbar.
A message to parents.
As the parents and children leave the vaccination room, Dilbar smiles. For her, the best part of the job is knowing that she has helped another little child grow stronger. She is a real vaccine Hero.
“For parents who are hesitating, I want to reiterate my message. Vaccines are the best protection for your children. They save children from so many diseases keep everyone around them safe.” – Dilbar shares her message to all the parents.
