Armenia launches revised immunization schedule and catch-up campaign

One-year-old Gagik has come to the polyclinic with his mother and grandfather.

He is here to receive his measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Meanwhile, his grandfather, also named Gagik, is here to receive his COVID-19 booster shot.

Liana, 4 years old, receives her second dose of the MMR vaccine.

In 2023, the WHO European Region has observed increases in measles cases, including in Armenia, where cases are predominantly affecting unimmunized children and young adults. While measles is typically considered a childhood infection, adults can also suffer from serious complications. Vaccination is the only way to stop transmission and prevent measles. Two doses of measles vaccine provide nearly 100% protection against measles.

Anastasia, 14 years old, has just received her first dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

She is in the first target age group, which is 13–14-year-olds, according to the national vaccination schedule. In 6 months, she will receive the second dose for full protection. “I learned about the HPV vaccine at school,” says Anastasia. “My paediatrician called and reminded my mum that it was time to get the vaccine. I know it protects me from several types of cancers, so I don’t mind the injection.”

Zara, 36 years old, is receiving her first dose of the HPV vaccine as part of the catch-up programme.

The newly introduced national catch-up immunization schedule allows individuals to receive vaccinations they missed earlier, so they can still benefit from the protection the vaccines offer. Because the HPV vaccine was introduced in Armenia only in 2017, teenagers and women up to 45 years old can now receive a catch-up vaccination consisting of a 3-dose series.

The new immunization calendar also provides schedules for different epidemiological and seasonal contexts. When influenza is circulating, the existing immunization programme for influenza is extended to include everyone over 6 months of age.

This aims to reduce the impact of highly contagious infectious respiratory illnesses on public health. Lusine is at the polyclinic for her regular prenatal care appointment, and to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. The inactivated influenza vaccines given to pregnant women have proven to be effective in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in 35–70% of mothers.

Alongside the new immunization calendar, WHO and the NCDC are working on the digitization of immunization records.

The digital immunization records will be aligned with the updated schedules and will allow parents to easily track their child’s vaccination schedule, ensuring they stay up to date with recommended vaccines to be protected against various infectious diseases.

Eva, 3 months old, receives her second dose of the rotavirus vaccine. The rotavirus vaccine protects against rotavirus infections, which are the leading cause of severe diarrhoea among young children.

Rafael, 2 months old, with his paediatrician, Dr Lusine Sargsyan.

“Vaccines are the world’s most effective way to prevent infectious diseases; their success hinges on the conscientious implementation of the immunization schedule,” says Dr Sargsyan.