DUSHANBE, February 14, Asia-Plus - Issues related to preparations for holding European Immunization Week were discussed today at a meeting of international organizations active in Tajikistan with journalists in Dushanbe.    

Mehri Shoismatulloyeva, an employee with the World Health Organization (WHO) Dushanbe Office for immunization, said in an interview with Asia-Plus that the event will be held in Tajikistan from April 16 to April 22.  According to her, in times of decreasing interest in an prioritization of immunization, European Immunization Week’s objective is to put immunization back in the spotlight.  

During European Immunization Week, debates, workshops, education and media events will be held to highlight the importance of immunization, providing clear and evidence-based information.  “Besides, meetings will be held with officials to explain the importance of immunization and the necessity of providing more funds for it because funds earmarked by the country’s budget for immunization campaign is limited and not enough for purchasing vaccines,” Shoismatulloyeva said.  

“There ought to take into consideration that interest of donors has decreased that is support for carrying out immunization will decrease from year to year and the government should give the immunization matter thought and take more efforts to purchase vaccines.” 

Besides, it is also planned to carry out work at the level of districts, where the main target group will be medical workers and parents.  

The meeting was staged by the WHO Dushanbe Office jointly with Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Republican Immunoprophylactic Center.   

WHO launched the first European Immunization Week in 2005.  It has become an annual initiative to raise awareness, improve communication and advocate immunization across the WHO European Region.