Vaccination provides safety. A mother from Ukraine, about the immunization of her child in Moldova

Vaccination provides safety and does not know the notion of the war. According to the National Immunization Calendar, seven-year-old Alisa, originally from Nikolaev, Ukraine, is one of more than 300 refugee children who have been immunized against infectious diseases in Moldova. Her mother, Irina, says that the emotions were high because she is in a foreign country, but the process went beyond expectations, thanks to the medical workers. 

As a result, the girl was vaccinated against polio, measles, and mumps, and Irina is convinced that her daughter has become more resilient to the diseases.

"I found out about the possibility of vaccination from the teachers at Alisa's school. Teachers told me to go to the nearest health center, and my relatives helped me identify the family doctor. I had a wonderful experience, even if the emotions were high. We did all the vaccinations according to the schedule, and now, because we are in another country, we didn't know how the process would go. But I met good people in Moldova and I received all the necessary information", says Irina.

For immunization, refugees can go to the primary care institutions in the locality where they are located. Also, for information, they can call the ANSP green line - at 080012300. 

Refugees from Ukraine have free access to vaccination, according to the National Immunization Calendar and the vaccination scheme against COVID-19. As official proof that they have been vaccinated in Moldova, the refugees receive the vaccination certificate, valid in Ukraine or other destination countries. Irina urges other parents to choose vaccination for a long and healthy life.

"After the vaccination, Alisa felt very well. He had no fever or other reactions, which made me very happy. I urge other parents in Ukraine, who are now in the Republic of Moldova, to vaccinate their children, especially if we remember that there were cases before the conflict. Vaccines are safe for children's health, and I trust them. I want to thank the Moldovan authorities, the UNICEF team, and the doctors for ensuring that children are vaccinated, including those in Ukraine," says Irina.

"I learned several communication techniques, which were very useful during the talks with the refugees. We received answers to several questions, even though the vaccination process is not very different from Ukraine." Ludmila Dubina, family doctor

To improve the immunization process, especially in the refugee crisis, UNICEF Moldova organized and conducted training for about 1,000 family doctors in partnership with the Ministry of Health. The training, which took place between April 5 - 21, involved immunization specialists from the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Nicolae Testemiteanu", the Institute of Mother and Child, and the National Agency for Public Health.

Ludmila Dubina, a family doctor from Chisinau with 15 years of work experience, has been actively involved in the immunization process of children in Ukraine since the beginning of the refugee crisis. 

"I learned several communication techniques, which were very useful for me, and I apply them during discussions with refugees. As a result, we received answers to several questions, even though the vaccination process is not very different from Ukraine.

We face different challenges every day. For example, some parents refuse, while others don't have documents confirming the previous vaccination. Therefore, the training has been organized at the right time," says Ludmila

Another family doctor who participated in the immunization training is Svetlana Țîbîrnac, from the Transnistrian region, but works in Chisinau. 

"In the current situation, participation in such training is more than necessary. I was lucky to meet a well-informed refugee family yesterday, and it amazed me. The parents have been guided by the family doctor from Ukraine to get vaccinated in our country. Therefore, I successfully consulted and vaccinated the child. But not all refugees are so informed, that's why the training was very helpful. I found out all the details about the immunization in Ukraine, the situation of the immunization process in this country, and how to communicate more easily with the refugees so that I can be confident that everything is at the highest level of security, "says Svetlana.

UNICEF provided support to the Ministry of Health in ensuring the vaccination of refugee children in Ukraine, according to the UNHCR - UNICEF - WHO Technical Guide on vaccination principles for refugees, and migrants in Europe.

Vaccination remains the primary tool for disease prevention, and UNICEF is one of the key players in immunizing children globally. As a result, in 2021, UNICEF procured 2.3 billion vaccines, which protect children from diarrhea, measles, pneumonia, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis, and other potentially preventable deadly diseases.