Armenia Steps Up Efforts to Close Childhood Immunization Gaps

Armenia is taking additional steps to improve childhood vaccination coverage and prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), despite consistently high immunization coverage in the country for more than two decades, measles outbreaks in 2023 and 2024 revealed groups of children who had either missed recommended vaccinations or had not completed the full vaccination schedule.

To identify the reasons behind gaps in immunization coverage, Armenia’s Ministry of Health and the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, with technical support from WHO, conducted a detailed assessment in three areas — Armavir and Gegharkunik regions and Yerevan. Experts analyzed vaccination and measles surveillance data, reviewed medical records and interviewed parents of fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated children.

The assessment found that Armenia’s national immunization system is generally functioning effectively. Vaccinations are provided free of charge five days a week, waiting times are short and vaccine shortages are rare. At the same time, several factors contributing to missed vaccinations were identified. These included unnecessary postponement of vaccination because of mild illnesses, insufficiently targeted communication between healthcare workers and parents, a lack of systematic follow-up for children who miss scheduled doses, and incomplete documentation of the reasons for vaccination delays or refusals.

Based on the findings, Armenian health authorities, together with experts and partners, are developing an Immunization Equity Plan. Proposed measures include standardizing the recording of reasons for missed vaccinations, introducing reminder and recall systems, providing additional training for paediatricians, improving communication with parents and strengthening the quality of data in the electronic immunization system.

WHO considers Armenia’s experience an example of how local evidence can be used to identify populations with insufficient vaccination coverage and develop targeted interventions. According to the organization, combining health data analysis, disease surveillance and research into parents’ attitudes and behaviour can help identify the underlying causes of immunization gaps more accurately and direct resources to the communities and areas where they are most needed.

Full text available at «Closing immunity gaps in Armenia»