Aziza Abduazimova, Nurse, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Aziza Abduazimova is both a vaccinator and a trainer at the Family Polyclinic No. 47 in Tashkent.
The polyclinic regularly organizes vaccination days, depending on local demand, during which Aziza vaccinates between 60 and 70 children.
"I am planning to develop training videos for medical professionals working in the most remote regions of the country to ensure no one is left behind." Aziza Abduazimov
Aziza Abduazimova...1
Aziza Abduazimova is both a vaccinator and a trainer at the Family Polyclinic No. 47 in Tashkent. The polyclinic regularly organizes vaccination days, depending on local demand, during which Aziza vaccinates between 60 and 70 children. “Vaccination days grant us the opportunity to reach as many children as possible with vaccines,” she says.
Aziza Abduazimova... 2
Currently, the demand for vaccination is particularly high. Hearing about a series of measles outbreaks throughout the WHO European Region has prompted many parents to seek information on how to best protect their children from contracting measles. “Many parents revert to me, as they want to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated. They understand that vaccination is the best way to prevent life-threatening diseases.”
Aziza Abduazimova... 3
Most parents accept vaccination in Uzbekistan. However, some are hesitant. In these cases, Aziza carefully listens to their concerns. She has found that the best way of talking to them is by sharing evidence-based information on vaccine safety and explaining that vaccines are strictly controlled and monitored in Uzbekistan. Using visuals, she shows what diseases and what types of complications vaccines prevent.
Aziza Abduazimova... 4
Aziza began her medical career as a physiotherapist, but her passion to directly interact with parents and their children by explaining the importance of prevention and staying healthy led her to the field of nursing. “At first, when children started crying after vaccination, I felt bad. However, I soon came to realize the value of prevention and the benefit I brought to these children and to the whole society. I myself am a mother of 3 boys, the eldest of them is 15. I made sure that all of them are fully vaccinated,” says Aziza.
Aziza Abduazimova... 5
Aziza’s passion to communicate about vaccines has also led her to conduct professional coaching for fellow health-care workers. As part of a professional development programme, Aziza provides monthly training in all vaccination-related procedures for head physicians and senior nurses from all over the country. In the near future, she will develop training videos to make evidence-based information on vaccination available to as many medical professionals as possible, in particular those working in the most remote regions of the country.
Aziza Abduazimova... 6
Aziza treats every vaccinated child as if they were her own. In the hours and days after the vaccination session, she is constantly alert and ready to help, should there be any post-vaccination reactions. However, Aziza stresses that post-vaccination complications are very rare compared to disease-related complications.